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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt:...strips of parchment, e v ffKvrafHots pattroitri tbepuv KaXa. The Jews, on the re-establishment of their kingdom, adopted the custom, substituting for the Ephesian charms certain verses out of the Law, which being supposed of power to avert all evil and mischief were called phylacteries (iuXaKTi/pia), safe-guards, or amulets. The same notion yet exists amongst Mohammedans, who employ verses of the Koran with the similar belief in their efficacy. The Bulla, a gold case shaped like a heart, worn round the neck by Roman boys, was nothing but a similar charm, and probably contained some written spell, for the usage came from the Etruscans; hence its periphrasis "Etruscum Aurum." The poor had a similar amulet, but in leather, "nodus de paupere loro." Besides the bulla, a number of other objects made of thin gold plate, and hollow, were strung about the child's neck, as their portraits often show: from their clinking together, termed CrepuncUa. as with the wits of Moliere's days, physicians were ever fair game, bring in the superstition for their benefit; for instance: Tov tarpov ibfov &io(paiTOs tv virvois ovKer" avrlyepBr Kai iTe/Jta/i/ia cj)cpav. "In slumber sound was Diophantus laid, When a black dream Hermogenes portrayed: He saw the fateful leech, and woke no more, Spite of the guardian amulet he wore." Most of the Gnostic stones have clearly been intended for wear as amulets, and not for setting in rings, for which they are unfitted by their large dimensions. I suspect that usually they were carried loose in the pouch, or zona, to be produced when required as credentials between the initiated, and a means of introducing one ittuminato, or ami de la lumiere, to the other. To such a custom, derived from the...