For
Rabanus Maurus the nine gems of the king of Tyre named in Ezekiel
xxxviii, 13, are types of the nine orders of angels, just as the twelve
foundation stones of Revelation signify the twelve apostles.8
It
is evident, from early and later usage, that, at the place and time
where and when these stones were first utilized for birth-stones, the
year must have begun with the month of March. This will be apparent
when we compare the following eight lists, carefully gathered from
various sources:
'
Sancti Patris Epiphanii episcopi Cypri ad Diodorum Tyri epis-eopum, "
De XII. Gemmis, quœ erant in veste Aaronis," ed. Gesner, Tiguri, 1565.
* Rabani Mauri, " Opera Omnia," vol. v, col. 465 ; in Patrologia Latina?, ed. Migne, vol. xvi, Paris, 1864.
