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Ovum Anguinum, Druid's Bead

Ovum Anguinum, Druid's Bead Page of 384 Ovum Anguinum, Druid's Bead Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
254
NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
the Salagrama of the Hindoos) in remote Irish districts from time immemorial, and the water in which they are steeped considered a specific for diseases in cattle. The head of a certain Highland clan also inherits, by de­scent from the remotest ages, a white sphere possessing similar virtues, in all probability transmitted to him from the Druidical period through an endless line of Gaelic ancestry.
This famous Gallic talisman bears a singular analogy, both in its name and properties, to the Ophites or " Serpent-stone " of the Asiatic Greeks ; for Pliny's Ophites (xxxvi. 11) has no connexion with our subject, being only the green serpentine-marble used in his time in decorative architec­ture. But Orpheus (355) styles it (the gift of Apollo to Helenus) " the vocal stone, the truth-telling Sideritis, which some mortals prefer to call the Ophites, in which dwells a soul (ßìøí÷ï·:), round, rough, black, hard. All over its circumference run sinews like unto wrinkles, deeply scored upon its surface." After keeping a fast, and perfect chastity for thrice seven days, the seer bathed tbe stone in running water, clothed it in soft raiment like an infant, and setting it up in an illuminated shrine, inspired its substance with life by means of certain mighty spells chanted over it. Then taking it in his arms he fondled it like as a mother does her babe, whilst he questioned the spirit within, and received true responses to all his demands. By this means did he reveal to the Atridae how his native city Troy was capable of being captured. But Orpheus warns whoever prepares to consult the oracle, to arm him­self with courage, lest, when he first hoars the stone, grow ing instinct with life, utter a cry like that of a new-born babe desiring the breast, his hands unnerved by terror let the ball drop upon the ground, and thus excite the heavy wrath of heaven. But if he had courage enough to consult
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