VII. 

 NOTES ON SOME CYLINDERS. 



It is not my intention to try to make a complete 

 analysis of cylinders, and that for a very good reason, 

 viz. because I could not do it. My object is to try, 

 by the help of the tree and horns, to unravel some 

 of the mysterious symbols found on these cylinders. 



I have touched upon the hand as a symbol. It 

 may, perhaps, throw some light on the pentadent, which 

 is often met with on cylinders. The pentadent, how- 

 ever, may be resolvable into a double pair of horns 

 and a stick. There is no doubt that horns are often 

 doubled, making a quadrident. On occasions, the As- 

 syrian artist appeared to be involved into a sort of 

 horn emotion — a passion for horn decoration— for, in the 

 more elaborate sacred trees, he has decorated the whole 

 stem of the tree with horns on both sides, like the 

 rungs of a ladder, as if he were determined that no 

 devils should come near it. 



The study of the cylinders is of importance in tracing 

 the significance of certain myths and symbols. In 

 order that we may feel our way through this maze, 

 we have to examine first into the nature of these so- 

 called Assyrian cylinders. 



