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Description of the Tail Pieces

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DESCRIPTION OF THE TAIL-PIECES.                   433
" ossea larva" its former occupant, startled at the hateful light, is casting himself headlong out of the vessel. If a conjecture may be hazarded as to the meaning of this truly mystic design, based upon the well-known fact of the introduction of the skeleton at the ancient banquet, it may be con­sidered as equivalent to the Epicurean device of Pardalas (Stosch's ' Gems '), two lovers, with the motto, " Drink, enjoy thyself, love : thou must die, Pardalas ! and thy time is short." Roman. Onyx.
P. 398.—Apollo Agyieus presenting his bow in token of amity. This is a favourite type on the coinage of the Seleucidœ, the god being the reputed founder of their line ; and taking into account the beauty of the work and the value of the stone at that epoch, it is not unwarrantable to see here the actual signet of one of the early kings of Syria. Greek of the best period. Peridot, remarkably lustrous.
P. 428.—Child's head in front-face. Ror some unexplained reason such faces, especially in cameo (worn for phalerœ), were esteemed most effectual amulets. Some of them are indicated by the single tress on the forehead as representing the boy-god Horus ; but many, like the present, have a character of individuality, evidently bespeaking them portraits from the life of some darling infant. The legend " of Tychias " declares the father of the original, and the owner of the signet. Roman. Sard, dark-red.
P. 433.—Cupid guiding a dolphin by the sound of his flute : his brother, floating in the air overhead, holds up by the tail a second dolphin, thus extemporising a natural sail. Roman. Red Jasper.
P. 442.—Sphinx seated. The same type as that on the coins of Chios. Early Greek. Black Jasper.
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