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SARDIUS. 301
the
letters continue opaque and white as before. The Sard has a great
affinity for iron-oxide, from which its native colour is derived. It
has been observed that such as have lain for centuries in their
oxidised iron settings have imbibed a singular depth of tint from the
contact.
Epiphanius
records the prevailing belief that the Sard was of virtue for the cure
of tumours, and of all wounds made by iron. Marbodus, in the 11th
century (translating Evax), declares that the Carnelian drives away
evil spirits, and preserves concord ; whilst that of the colour of raw
flesh will stanch haemorrhages, whether natural or from wounds. As
usual, this list of virtues was marvellously swelled in the progress of
the Middle Ages, so that we find Albertus Magnus affirming that the
Sard exhilarated the soul, drove away fear, baffled witchcraft, and was
an antidote to all poisons arising from the corruption of the blood ;
besides its ancient property as a styptic. Cardan asserts it gives
success in lawsuits, and makes the wearer rich. The philosophic De
Laet, in 1647, though ridiculing all these fables, declares from his
own experience its power to stop the bleeding from the nose ; and that
rings were cut entirely out of it to be worn for that object. Such are
still made and worn in Italy, and with the same idea.
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