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NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
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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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