DIAMONDS.	69
	Four hundred years ago all Diamonds were cut with four flat surfaces, these being Indian-cut, or " table " diamonds ; later they were cut in the form of half a polyhedron resting on a plane section, this being the " rose-diamond." The Diamonds known as " bril­liants " are cut into the form of two truncated pyramids, the upper, or bizel, being much more deeply truncated than the lower, or "collet"; and having thirty-two facets, inclined under different angles ; while the lower has but twenty-four ; each facet, both of the " bizel," and the " collet " side, having its distinctive name, and arbitrary proportion. This is the most effective, but most wasteful way of cutting diamonds, about one half the weight being lost in converting them into " bril­liants," or " roses," from the rough. Old diamonds are cut with greater care than the quite modern, and are worth forty or fifty per cent more. Concerning the Diamond—Sir John Mandeville (Paris, 1561) has advanced remarkable notions, partly derived from Pliny. " He directs that a man should carry the Diamonds on his left side ; for it is of greater virtue than the right side ; for the strength of their (the Diamonds) growing is towards the north, that is, the left side of the world ; and the left part of the man is when he turns his face towards the East. And if you wish to know the virtues of the Diamond, I shall tell you, as they beyond the sea say, and affirm ; from whom all science, and philosophy come. He who carries the Diamond upon him it gives him hardiness, and manhood, and it keeps the limbs of his body whole." " It gives him victory over his enemies, in Court, and in war, if his cause is just; and it keeps him that bears it in good wit; it preserves him from strife, and riot;