The crystal obtains its name from the Greek word KRUSTALLOS, ice. It is a pure and transparent variety of Quartz, so called because of its resemblance to clear ice. In literature it appears as cristalla, cristal, crestal, kristall, cristalle, christall, chrystal. Webster writes that the English spelling was gradually changed to CRYSTAL between the 15th and 17th centuries. We have evidence of its early use by man, Egyptian scarabei and Babylonian cylinders having been found, dating back as far as 1500 B.C. In the trial of Psyche—that beautifully symbolic legend—Venus gives this graceful lover of Eros the magical vase of pure crystal with the request that it be filled with the waters from the Fountain of Forgetfulness. The Fountain waters flowed through a narrow channel at the summit of a steep mountain, and they murmured: “To attempt is to perish. Be warned. Be warned. To attempt is to perish; fly from us.” Psyche saw two caves, one on each side of these icy waters, and in these caves were two terrible dragons. With the precious vase in her trembling hands, the faithful lover prayed for help in her perilous task. Jupiter heard her prayer in pity, for love had been kind to him, and he sent his eagle to her. The eagle drew the vase from Psyche and, filling it with the waters, brought it to her. Then she ran to Venus, thinking that pitying love would exact no more. “Thy witchery has gained thee these waters,” said the Goddess, “I have another test for thee.” The King of the Ethiopians showed the messengers of Cambyses amongst other wonders the tombs of pure crystal in which could be seen the bodies of the departed, perfect in form and feature. In the imperial vault of the Hapsburgs in the Church of the Capucins, Vienna, there are 150 crystal vases, gold mounted, with a crown on the top of each, which contain the hearts of the Royal members of the Family. This practice dates from Duke Francis who, dying in Switzerland, directed that his heart should be preserved and sent to Vienna. In China and Japan the crystal is called SINSHO. The Japanese know it also as Tama or Jewel of Perfection, and it is used by them for making crystal balls and beautiful objects of art. It is cut in the shape of a ball, esteemed in Japan as the Stone of Concentration, and several in a family will sit round gazing at a specimen in which they see guidance and help in the path of life. In China it is also known as CHING, and symbolized as an upright triangle of three suns, it has always been highly esteemed. It is cut with great patience into figures of deities and sacred objects. The Chinese regard it as a talisman of concentration and perseverance; it recalls to them the magnificence and immensity of what man calls space, this “jewel of perfection” which the Japanese also term “Breath of the White Dragon.”