The Name of the Worm, to which the marvellous Property of breaking Stones is ascribed, is corruptly given by the foregoing Authorities. It is called by the Jews, not _tamir_, or _thamus_, but _schamir_ (שמיר), and frequent Allusions to it occur in the Rabbinical Writers. The original Story is to be found in the _Talmud_, and seems intended to explain what we read 1 Kings, vi. 7, that _neither Hammer nor Axe nor any Tool of Iron_ was heard in the Temple of _Solomon_ while it was in building. The following[107] is an abridged Account of the original Legend: _Solomon_, when about to build the Temple, perceived by his Wisdom, that it would be more acceptable to GOD, if built of Stones upon which no Tool of Iron had ever been raised. Whereupon he inquired of the Rabbis how this was to be effected.—They told him that he must procure the Worm _Schamir_, by the Help of which _Moses_ had cut the Stones of the High Priest’s Breastplate. _Solomon_ then inquired where this Worm was to be found. The Rabbis confessed their Ignorance, but advised him to summon certain Devils, and compel them, by Torments, to make the Discovery; this was done, and the Devils answered, that _Aschmedai_, the King of the Devils, alone, could tell where the Worm _Schamir_ was to be found. Accordingly, _Benaiah_, Son of _Jehoiada_, was sent with a Chain on which the Name of GOD was inscribed, to bind _Aschmedai_, and bring him before _Solomon_. It took some Time to capture _Aschmedai_, and a long Account is given of the Difficulties of the Undertaking. At Length, on the third Day, he is brought to _Solomon_, who asks him for the _Schamir_. _Aschmedai_ answers, It is not in my Keeping; but _Sara-Dima_ (the Angel that presides over the Sea) has it, and he will entrust it only to the Wild-Hen (תרנגולא), from whom he exacts an Oath for its safe Return. _Solomon_ asked what the Wild-Hen did with the _Schamir_; the Dæmon answered, She brings the Worm to the Rocky Mountains, destitute of Grass and Verdure, and by its means she breaks down their Rocks; she then carries up the Seeds of Trees, and thus the Mountains, once Barren, become covered with Woods. Having obtained this Information, _Solomon_ sought out the Nest of the Wild-Hen, and enclosed it, with her Young Ones, in a Covering of transparent Crystal. The Wild-Hen, on her Return, seeing her Nest and Young Ones, but finding herself unable to enter it, flew away, and soon after returned with the Worm _Schamir_; whereupon _Solomon’s_ Servants, who had been lying in Wait for her, set up a great Shout, which so terrified her, that she dropped the Worm, and thus _Solomon_ obtained Possession of it. The Wild-Hen, however, flew away, and hanged herself, for having lost the Worm, and broken her Oath. See _Eisenmenger_, _Entdecktes Judenthum_ Theil, I. p. 350. _Johan. Christoph. Wagenseilii Sota_, p. 1072, and _Buxtorfii Lexicon Chald. et Talmud._ _in voce_ שמיר. PAGE xxxv. line 1. aftir þe talis of iewis of Salamon.