almost in its native condition, although it seems to exhibit some traces of an attempt to shape it into the mystic Yoni, probably with the intention of it being placed, as her usual attribute, in the land of Parvati, the
goddess of generation. In the cast from it, which I have examined, the
ineffectual attempts of the Hindu lapidary to work the obdurate
material to his fancy are extremely curious." Then he adds, " This
stone was by some very ominous accident broken asunder in the year of
the great Indian revolt. Weight 340 carats." But he does not say
whether this weight refers to its size before or after its breakage.
Dieulafait
gives its estimated value at £200,000, and it has been stated that its
original weight, before being fractured, was no less than 440 carats.
If so it was the largest genuine diamond ever discovered except the
Great Mogul, and it is remarkable that both of these enormous specimens
came apparently from the same rich diamantiferous district of Kollur in
the Kistna Valley. It is quite possible that the breaking of the stone,
accidental or otherwise, regarded as an omen of trouble, may have had
its influence on historical events; for not only uncivilized and
Oriental potentates, but Christian kings and learned men have given to
precious stones wonderful powers. In mediaeval days carbuncles were
credited with an influence on poisons ; jasper was believed to cure
fevers; agate ministered to defective eye-sight; and carnelian stopped
hemorrhage. Juvenal records of a ring, belonging to Cicero that it
endowed him with eloquence ; and Edward the Confessor had a ring which
was believed to cure
