RING OF POPE INNOCENT III. It is related by Matthew Paris that Pope Innocent III, well knowing the love that the English King John had for jewels, sent to him four gold rings set with precious stones. The Pope comments on the emblematical character of the gift, saying: “The rotundity of the rings signifies eternity, for we pass through time to eternity. The number four which is a square number indicates the firmness of mind which is neither depressed in adversity nor elated in prosperity. It signifies the four virtues which make up constancy of mind, viz., justice, fortitude, prudence, temperance. The material signifies wisdom from on high which is as gold purified in the fire. The greenness of the Emerald moreover denotes faith; the blueness of the Sapphire, hope; the redness of the Garnet, charity; the brightness of the Topaz, good works. In the Emerald, therefore, you have what to believe, in the Sapphire what to hope for, in the Garnet what to love, and in the Topaz what to practise. So that you ascend from one virtue to another until you see the Lord in Zion.” RING OF REYNARD. In the story of Reynard the Fox, said to have been written by Hinreck van Alckmer though in reality it was written in the 15th century by Hermann Barkhusan of Rostock, Reynard believes himself possessed of a famous ring set with stones of red, white and green. The white stone cured all diseases, the red rendered night as bright as day, and the green made the wearer invincible. The story introduces Rabbi Abron of Trent who was wise above men, who spoke every language and knew the nature of every kind of herb, animal, and precious stone. RING OF SOLOMON. Solomon, according to Rabbinical tradition, gazed on the stone of his ring and immediately knew everything concerning worldly affairs and much concerning heavenly. This ring is the subject of many legends. ROCK CRYSTALLIZATIONS. Certain hair-like substances are found enclosed in crystals. They are also termed “penetrating minerals” and comprise Rutile, Asbestus, Actinolite and Tourmaline. These acicular crystals are called in France Flèches d’Amour (Love’s Arrows). They are also known as Venus’s Hair Stone, Thetis’s Hair Stone, Pencils of Venus, Cupid’s Arrows, Cupid’s Net, The Goddess’s Tresses, etc. These specimens cut and polished are interesting and beautiful, and have always been esteemed as charm stones for ensuring a growth of beautiful hair, for beauty, for grace, for skill and fascination in dancing, etc. SAGDA. A mysterious ocean stone which fixes itself to the keels of ships. A protection against shipwreck, it will cling to the ship so long as the timbers are not cut. It is said to be of dark green colour, similar to Prase.