Note 26 — HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

The Soothsayers attributed many mystic properties to the Coral, and it was believed to be capable of giving protection against the influence of ‘Evil Eyes;’ it was even supposed that Coral would drive away Devils and Evil Spirits; hence arose the custom of wearing amulets composed of it, around the neck, and of making crowns of it. Pliny and Dioscorides are very loud in their praises of the medicinal properties of this substance, and Paracelsus says that it should be worn around the necks of infants as an admirable preservative against fits, sorcery, charms, and even against poison. It is a curious circumstance, that the same superstitious belief should exist among the Negroes of the West Indies, who affirm that the colour of Coral is always affected by the state of health of the wearer, it becoming paler in disease. In Sicily it is also commonly worn as an amulet.