expand, and contract, exactly like the slit in the eye of a cat.
There
are a considerable number of superstitions in connection with these
cat's-eye stones, many people regarding them as mascots, or with
disfavour, according to their colour. When possessing the favourite hue
or '" fire " of the wearer, such as the fire of the opal for those born
in October, of the ruby for those born in July, etc.. these stones are
considered to bring nothing but good luck ; to ward off accident,
danger, and sudden death : to be a charm against being bitten by
animals, and to be a protection from poison, the " evil eye," etc. They
figured largely, along with other valuable jewels, in the worship of
the ancient Egyptians, and have been found in some of the tombs in
Egypt. They also appeared on the " systrum." which was a sacred
instrument used by the ancient Egyptians in the performance of their
religious rites, particularly in their sacrifices to the goddess Isis.
This, therefore, may be considered one of their sacred stones, whilst
there is some analogy between the cat's-eye stones and the sacred cat
of the Egyptians which recurs so often in their hieroglyphics; it 'is
well known that our domestic cat is not descended from the wild cat.
but from the celebrated cat of Egypt, where history records its being
''domesticated" at least thirteen centuries B.C. From there it was
taken throughout Europe, where it appeared at least a century B.C.. and
was kept as a pet in the homes of the wealthy, though certain writers,
speaking of the " mouse-hunters " of the old Romans and Greeks. state
that these creatures were not the Egyptian cat. but a carniverous.
long-bodied
