Fig. 9 (Pl. I.). A piece of milky agate having a series of concentric white stripes, mounted in silver as a pendant; Seville. Near the upper edge of the stone a hole has been bored, showing that the stone was used as a pendant before it was mounted. The stone is evidently a lactation-amulet, but, since in form and markings it bears a considerable resemblance to a human eye, it may have served otherwise as well.
Fig. 10 (Pl. I.). A piece of agate, grey, white, and blood-red, in the shape of a very elongated heart, mounted in silver; San Sebastian. Probably an amulet connected with the blood, and, possibly, lactation.
Fig. 11 (Pl. I.). A small flat bead of agate, clear with bloody cloudings, mounted as a pendant; Madrid. A contemporary amulet to regulate the menstrual flow in women, and for the prevention and cure of hemorrhage in either sex.
Fig. 12 (Pl. I.). A globular bead of a soft red stone, mounted as a pendant; Madrid. A contemporary amulet to regulate menstruation.
Fig. 13 (Pl. I.). A pendant of banded agate, brown, yellow, whitish, greyish, and pinkish, mounted in silver; Madrid. Amuletic intention not ascertained.
Fig. 14 (Pl. I.). A pendant formed of a piece of hardstone, mottled brown, yellow, and white, mounted in silver; San Sebastian. The stone appears to be a small neolithic axe, having portions of its cutting edge broken away, mounted edge upwards. This object was selected as an amulet, presumably, on account of its form, for the stone of which it is composed is, I think, one not commonly used for amulets.[1] In Italy neolithic axes are still used as amulets against lightning; they are in such cases generally perforated for suspension or are bound in cloth, and are comparatively rarely mounted in metal.[2]
- ↑ "In Spain they [neolithic axes] are known as rayos [i.e. thunderbolts] or centellos [centella=lightning, flash], and are regarded as thunder-stones." Evans, Ancient Stone Implements etc. (1897), p. 58.
- ↑ Cf. Bellucci, op. cit., and Amulettes Italiennes Anciennes et Contemporaines, a catalogue of a comparative collection exhibited by the Société at the Exposition of 1900, in the Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris.
