While the learned doctor does not expressly state his belief in these “imponderous and invisible emissions” from amulets, he certainly does not attempt to deny their existence. The Bolivian natives believe that the so-called mountain-sickness, the affection from which some travellers suffer at high altitudes, probably originates in subtle emanations from certain mineral veins. A confirmation of the fact that such a belief exists, though not of the truth of the theory, is found in the native name for this illness, _veta_, which signifies at once “mountain-sickness” and a vein or lode. The fact that at the pass of Livichuco, on the trail from Challapata to Sucre, there are considerable deposits of antimony, is regarded as substantiating this strange fancy.[560] Among the Babylonians one of the most dreaded of the malign spiritual powers was the terrible female demon Labastu, and a long series of amulets are recommended, one or more of which should be worn to ward off her pernicious influence. For some of these amulets precious stones were used, and the effect of color, probably a determining circumstance in the selection of the particular stone, was to be strengthened by the color of the wrapping about the stone and of the cord by means of which it was to be hung from the neck, or attached to the right or left hand or foot, or to other parts of the body. As this dreadful spirit was chiefly feared as the inducer of disease, the location of the amulet was perhaps in some cases determined by the presence of local pain or disorder; in this case it would be expected to act as a cure of disease rather than a mere preventive. The following passages refer to such stone amulets:[561] [Illustration: EYE AGATES Used as charms against the Evil Eye. East Indian. ] Thou shalt wrap up a _shubu_-stone in white wool, and hang it on a white woollen cord, with four eye-stones (_enâti_) and four parê, and bind it to thy right hand. A black _ka_-stone shalt thou enwrap in black wool, hang it on a black woollen cord, provide it with three eye-stones and three _parê_, and bind it to thy left hand. Thou shalt wrap a white _ka_-stone in red wool, hang it on a red woollen cord, with four eye-stones and four _parê_, and bind it to the right foot. An _appu_-stone shalt thou wrap up in blue wool, hang it on a blue woollen cord, furnish it with three eye-stones and three _parê_, and bind it to the left foot. Seven eye-stones and seven _parê_ shalt thou string on a black cord.