some, however, with three pearls, one above the other,1 and a few bearing several pearls loosely hung together, answering to the description of the crotalia. Others, again, bear pear-shaped pearls or elenchi.2 It
is a singular fact that scarcely any of the busts of Roman women are
ornamented with earrings, but it is quite possible that the cause for
this must be sought in the desire of the artist to dispense with
unimportant details which might detract from the general effect he
wished to produce. We may note, however, four female figures in the
Gallerie des Empereurs in the Louvre Museum, with the ears pierced for
the reception of earrings (Nos. 1195, 1202, 1230, and 1269).
Many numismatists, among them Dr. F. Louis Comparette,3 believe
1 Babelon, "Cab.des Antiq.,"pl. 33, fig. 3. 'Custodian of the coin collection of the
2 Duruy, "Hist, des Romains," Vol. I, p. Philadelphia Mint. 511.
