virtue of the figure may be partly learnt from the property of the stone. And as the same stone often possesses different properties, so figures are found made up of parts of different animals, expressive of the various virtues of the gem itself. This appears on a Jasper of my own, which represents a figure with the head of a cock, a human body clad in armour, a shield in one hand, a whip in the other, and serpents instead of legs, all expressive of the various virtues of the Jasper, which are to drive away evil spirits, fevers, and dropsies, check lust, prevent conception, render the wearer victorious and beloved, and stanch the flowing of blood. All such figures are of the greatest virtue and potency.

SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC.

Astrologers divide the Signs of the Zodiac into four Trines, each composed of three, agreeing in their active and passive qualities. They assign one triplet to each of the four elements, as also a lord presiding over each.

First Trine, of Fire; Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, belongs to the East. Its lords are Sol by day, Jupiter by night, Saturn at dawn. Hence a gem engraved with any of these signs is good against all cold diseases, as lethargy, palsy, and dropsy, and makes the wearer eloquent, ingenious, and cheerful, and exalts him to honour and dignity. The figure of the Lion is the most potent amongst these, as this sign is the house of the Sun.

Second Trine, of the Earth; Taurus, Virgo, Capricornus, belongs to the South; of a cold and dry nature. Its lords are Venus by day, Luna by night, Mars at dawn. These figures are good against all hot and moist diseases, such as quinsy and corruption of the blood. Their wearers are inclined to rural occupations and the laying out of gardens and vineyards.

This is an ingenious explanation of the Chimerae, or grylli, which have been already described.

Third Trine, of the Air; Gemini, Libra, Aquarius, belongs to the West. Its lords are Saturn by day, Mercury by night, Jupiter at dawn. Hence a gem engraved with one of these signs is good against all cold and dry complaints depending on a melancholy humour, such as ague, hydrophobia, and loss of memory. From the nature of the lords of this triplet, its wearers are inclined to justice, friendship, concord, and the observance of the laws.

Fourth Trine, of the Water; Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, belongs to the North; of a cold and moist nature. Its lords are Venus by day, Mars by night, Luna at dawn. From its cold and moist complexion it is good against all hot and dry diseases, such as consumption, inflammation of the liver, and bilious complaints. Its wearers are inclined through the nature of its lords to fickleness, injustice, and lying, and it is said that Scorpio was the sign of Mahomet. (When Camillo was writing this he must have smiled inwardly at the thought that this Trine was certainly the ruling influence over the career of his redoubtable patron, the Lord of Romagna.)

1. Saturn, engraved on a stone, is an old man with a not very bushy beard, seated, and holding a scythe. If this figure be found on a stone of the same nature as Saturn, it renders the wearer powerful, and his power will go on increasing.

2. Jupiter is a man seated on a throne, holding in one hand a wand, in the other a globe, or an idol, or a crab, or a fish, and an eagle at his feet. Magicians figure him differently, with a

ram's head and slender body, and wrinkled legs. If found on a gem, especially a Kabres (a kind of crystal), it secures success in one's wishes, procures love, and exaltation to honours.

3. Mars is figured on gems in a variety of ways, sometimes holding a lance, sometimes a standard, also on horseback, but always in armour. It makes the wearer bold and successful in whatever he undertakes.

4. Sol is represented as the sun with rays, sometimes as a man with long hair seated on a throne, sometimes in a quadriga, surrounded by the Signs of the Zodiac. It makes a man powerful, fit to command, and fond of hunting, and lucky in getting wealth.

5. Venus, a woman in long robe and stole, and holding a laurel branch. It gives lightness in action, success in business, protects against fear of drowning, and produces authority.

6. Mercury, a slender man with a fine beard, but sometimes without one, with winged sandals and caduceus, often a cock at his feet, or a serpent beneath them. Its virtue increases knowledge and eloquence, and is of great benefit to traders.

7. Luna is variously figured, sometimes as a crescent, less than the half; sometimes as a maid in a car with horses, and a quiver; or a nymph with quiver, and hounds following a stag. This image gives success in embassies, and speed and facility in the execution of all business.

8. The Bear is represented by two bears entwined by a serpent, and is of a composite nature, for the Greater Bear belongs to Mars and Venus, the Lesser to Saturn, the Serpent to Saturn and Mars. This engraving makes the wearer cautious, crafty, and powerful.

9. The Crown is figured as a royal crown with many stars, and sometimes as the crowned head of a king. It is placed in the North, in the sign Sagittarius, and is of the nature of Venus and Mercury. It gives success and honour in kings' courts.

10. Hercules, a man killing a lion; sometimes a man with a lion's skin in his hand, or on his shoulders, with a club. It is placed in the North, in the Scorpion, and is of the nature of Mercury. If cut on a stone of similar virtue, such as the Agate, it gives victory in pitched battles.

11. Sican, or Hen, is the figure of a swan, with wings spread and neck bent back. Its place is the North, and its nature that of Venus and Mercury. It makes the wearer beloved by the people, augments wealth, and cures palsy and ague.

12. Cepheus, a man girt with a sword, and with his hands and legs stretched out, is held by Aries, and is placed in the North. It has the nature of Saturn and Jupiter, makes the wearer cautious and prudent; and placed under the head of a sleeping person makes him see delightful visions.

13. Cassiopea, a woman seated in a chair with her arms extended in the form of a cross, or sometimes with a triangle upon her head. It is situated in the North in the sign Taurus, and has the nature of Saturn and Venus. If cut upon a proper stone it produces health, restoration from fatigue, and causes refreshing sleep.

14. Andromeda, a virgin with loose hair and hands hanging down, is contained in Taurus in the North. It is of the nature of Venus, and has the virtue of appeasing quarrels between married people.

15. Perseus, a figure holding in one hand a sword, in the other the Gorgon's head, is placed in the northern part of Taurus. It has the power of Saturn and Venus, and defends not merely the wearer, but the place he is in, from lightning and tempest.

16. Serpentarius, a man encircled by a serpent, and holding its head in one hand and tail in the other, is situated in Scorpio in the North, and is of the nature of Saturn and Mars. It is good against poisons and the bites of reptiles, and steeped in water causes one to cast up the poison he may have swallowed without any injury.

17. The Eagle, or Falling Vulture, is the figure of an eagle flying with an arrow in his claws: placed in Cancer in the northern part. It is of the nature of Jupiter and Mars; but the arrows are of Mars and Venus. The virtue of this figure is to preserve the ancient honours of the wearer and to make him gain fresh ones.

18. The Dolphin is the figure of a hump-backed fish, in the sign Aquarius, in the North: having the nature of Saturn and

Mars. If tied to a net it causes it to be filled with fishes, and gives good luck in angling.

19. Pegasus, a winged horse; or the forepart of one with wings and without a bridle: placed in Aries, is of the nature of Mars and Jove, and gives victory in battle. If hung round a horse's neck, or put in the water he drinks, it will protect him from many diseases.

20. Cetus, the figure of a big fish with bent tail and wide mouth, placed in Taurus in the South, is of the nature of Saturn. If cut on a stone, with a large crested serpent with a long mane above it, it gives good luck at sea and restores lost things.

21. Orion, a man in armour or without, with a sword or a pruning-hook in his hand, placed in Gemini in the South, is of the nature of Jove, Saturn, and Mars. It gives the wearer victory over all his enemies.

22. The Ship, with lofty prow and swelling sail, both with and without oars; placed in Leo in the South, is of the nature of Saturn and Jove, and protects from danger or loss at sea.

23. The Dog, Alabor, a figure of a greyhound with curled tail, in Cancer in the South, of the nature of Venus, gives the power, they say, of healing those lunatic, raving, and possessed by devils.

24. The Hare, a figure of a hare running, in Gemini in the South, has the nature of Mercury and Saturn, and defends against the wiles of the devil; and protects the wearer against being hurt by any evil spirit.

25. Centaur, a man with a bull's head, holding in the left hand a spear resting upon his left shoulder, with a hare hanging from it. In his right he holds a little beast, back downwards, with a kettle hung to it. Its place is in Libra in the South, and it is of the nature of Jupiter and Mars, and has the virtue of keeping the wearer in perpetual health; whence some fable that a Centaur was the preceptor of Achilles, because he always carried about him the engraving of a Centaur upon a stone.

26. The Dog, Alabor, is the figure of a dog seated; in Cancer in the South. It is of the nature of Jupiter, and protects from dropsy and the bites of dogs.