SUPERSTITIONS 
 
 
   DIAMOND produces somnambulism, and 
promotes spiritual ecstasy.-R. B. 
   The diamond is an emblem of innocence, 
and is dedicated to April and the sun. 
In the Zodiac it stands for Virgo, in me- 
tallurgy for gold, in Christian art invul- 
nerable faith. 
  EMERALD promotes friendship and con- 
stancy of mind.-R. B. 
  If a serpent fixes its eyes on an emerald, 
it becomes blind.-Ahmed ben Abdalaziz, 
Treatise on Jewels. 
  The emerald is an emblem of success in 
love, and is dedicated to May. In the 
Zodiac, it signifies Cancer. It is dedicated 
to Mars, in metallurgy it means iron, and 
in Christian art, is given to St. John.. 
  GARNET preserves health and joy.-R. 
B. 
  The garnet is an emblem of constancy, 
and, like the jacinth, is dedicated to Jan- 
uary. 
  This was the carbuncle of the ancients, 
which they said gave out light in the dark. 
  LOADSTONE produces somnambulism.- 
R. B. 
  It is dedicated to Mercury, and in me- 
tallurgy means quicksilver. 
  MOONSTONE has the virtue of making 
trees fruitful, and of curing epilepsy.-. 
Dioscorld~s. 
  It contains in it an image of the moon, 
representing its increase and decrease 
every month.-Andreas Baccius. 
  ONYX contains in it an imprisoned devil, 
which wakes at sunset, and causes terror 
to the wearer, disturbing sleep with ugly 
dreams.-R. B, 
  Cupid, with the sharp point of his ar- 
rows, cut the nails of Venus during sleep, 
and the parings, falling into the Indus, 
sank to the bottom, and turned into 
onyxes.-S., 212. 
  In the Zodiac it stands for Aquarius; 
some say it is the emblem of August and 
 
 
conjugal love; in Christian*art it sym- 
bolizes sincerity. 
   OPAL is fatal to love, and sows discord 
between the giver and receiver.-R. B. 
   Given as an engagement token, it is 
sure to bring ill luck. 
  The opal is an emblem of hope, and is 
dedicated to October. 
  RUBY. The Burmese believe that rubies 
ripen like fruit. They say a ruby in its 
crude state is colorless, and, as it matures, 
changes first to yellow, then to green, 
then to blue, and lastly to a brilliant red, 
its highest state of perfection and ripe- 
ness.-S., 142. 
  The ruby signifies Aries in the Zodiacal 
signs; but some give it to December, and 
make it the emblem of brilliant success. 
  SAPPHIRE produces somnambulism, and 
impels the wearer to all good works.- 
R.B. 
  In the Zodiac it signifies Leo, and in 
Christian art is dedicated to St. Andrew, 
emblematic of his heavenly faith and good 
hope. Some give this gem to April. 
I ToPAz is favorable to hemorrhages, im- 
parts strength, and promotes digestion. 
-R. B. 
  Les anciens regardaient la topaze comme utile 
contre l'6pflepsie et la m~lancolie. - Bouillet, 
dict. Univ. des Sciences, etc. (1855). 
  The topaz is an emblem of fidelity, and 
is dedicated to November. In the Zodiac 
it signifies Taurus, and in Christian art is 
given to St. James the Less. 
  TuRQuoISE, given by loving hands, car- 
ries with it happiness and good fortune. 
Its color always pales when the well- 
being of the giver is in peril.-S., 170. 
  The turquoise is an emblem of pros- 
perity, and is dedicated to December. It 
is dedicated to Saturn, and stands for 
lead in metallurgy. 
  A bouquet composed of diamonds, load- 
stones and sapphires combined, renders a 
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SUPERSTITIONS 
 
 
57