Scorpio, as before remarked, is the sign of the snake or serpent so intimately connected with the mysteries of life and death, and the topaz is remarkable for its cleavage, for when struck with a hammer it breaks into flakes like the backbone of a serpent. The topaz was considered as of wonderful potency in the treatment of sexual disorders, which astrologically are considered as disorders of the sign Scorpio. It contains from 55 to 58 per cent of Alumina, which substance has been used in modern times by Dr. Richard Hughes, Dr. Teste, Dr. Peters, Dr. Marcy and others in troubles of the sexual system and the mucous membranes. The drug has been used homœopathically in such morbid conditions and in chronic pharyngitis and diseases of the nose and throat. The nose is ruled by Scorpio in astrological deductions, and the throat by Taurus, its opposite sign. Alumina is most strongly expressed in Corundums, which include the Oriental Topaz, next the chrysoberyl, next the spinel, and next the topaz, but there are certain characteristics of the Topaz which in some way render it distinct from other gems, and these would have been considered by the hermetic schools whence such philosophy originated. Amongst mineralogists the topaz is known as Topaz Rhombicus. It is found in colours golden, yellow, reddish, white, greenish, wine colour and blue. A charming pink is produced artificially by subjecting the real stone to heat, the best results being procured from a golden-brown variety. This process was first discovered by M. Dumelle, a Paris jeweller, in the year 1750. The colour thus obtained is doubtless permanent, the shade being manifest when the stone cools. Great care must be observed in this simple experiment because the stone is so sensitive that unless properly handled it is likely to split under the various degrees of heat and cold.