Tournefort,
1712, advise that both Eastern, and Western Emeralds " are proper to
stop the Flux of the Belly, and Haemorrhages ; also to sweeten too
acrid humors, being finely powdered, and taken inwardly— the dose from
six to thirty grains."
When of a pale bluish-green colour the Emerald is Aqua-marine. This
pale green of Aqua-marine is due to a small proportion of oxide of
iron. In modern times M. Caillard, the persevering mineralogist, has
rediscovered the Peruvian Emerald Mines, after their remaining
unexplored by the foot of man for several ages. The Arabs entertain to
this day the same superstitious fears with regard to the said mines
that the ancients did. They cautioned M. Caillard strongly against
sleeping near caverns, which were the abode of demons, who would resent
the intrusion. The famous Emerald mines of Mount Zebarah were first
"worked by the engineers of the Ptolemies. The name Emerald is from the
French—"Esmeraulde; which comes from the Greek, Smaragdus." Queen
Alexandra owns a " parure" of Emeralds worth a King's ransom. Princess
Charles of Denmark has one hundred Emeralds, of large size, and first
quality ; these forming a flexible waist-belt. Square Emeralds are a
present craze. Mrs. George Keppel owns a priceless square Emerald,
which she wears as a pendant.
In the Magick of Kiram, King of Persia, and of Harpocration, 1685,—containing
" the magical and medicinal virtues of Stones, Herbs, Fishes, Beasts,
and Birds,"—a work much sought after by the learned, but seen by few,
and said to be in the Vatican, at Rome, " concerning Smaragdus,—a green
Precious Stone," it stands written—" Engrave thereupon the Bird Harpe ;
