[2] Professor AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN: _A Budget of Paradoxes_
(1872), p 66.

[3] THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGREW, F.R.S.: _On Superstitions connected
with the History and Practice of Medicine and Surgery_ (1844),
pp. 164-167.



VI

THE BELIEF IN TALISMANS

THE word "talisman" is derived from the Arabic "tilsam," "a magical
image," through the plural form "tilsamen." This Arabic word is
itself probably derived from the Greek telesma in its late meaning
of "a religious mystery" or "consecrated object". The term is often
employed to designate amulets in general, but, correctly speaking,
it has a more restricted and special significance. A talisman may
be defined briefly as an astrological or other symbol expressive of
the influence and power of one of the planets, engraved on a sympathetic
stone or metal (or inscribed on specially prepared parchment) under
the auspices of this planet.

Before proceeding to an account of the preparation of talismans proper,
it will not be out of place to notice some of the more interesting
and curious of other amulets. All sorts of substances have been
employed as charms, sometimes of a very unpleasant nature, such as