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surmounted by an object apparently having reference to the Signs 

 of the Zodiac. Beneath is a globe supported on three legs, to 

 which the figure is pointing with a wand as though casting a 

 horoscope ; at his right hand is a cup or vase, and an object 

 resembling a pen. This figure appears to represent therefore an 

 astrologer in the exercise of his profession. 



The largest and most important mosaic, however, is that in 

 the eastern division of this spacious apartment. In the centre is a 

 medallion containing the head of Medusa ; springing from this 

 centre are four compartments arranged crosswise ; at the angles 

 are triangular compartments, containing bucolic figures bloAving 

 the buccina or neatherd's horn ; on their heads is the petasus of 

 Mercury, over their left shoulder a pallium or cloak. The four 

 panels each contain two figures, male and female, apparently of a 

 pastoral character. Drawings of all these pavements were exhibited 

 and the Lecturer drew particular attention to one of these groups, 

 where the female figure, partially draped after the manner of the 

 dancing girls among the ancients, is playing upon a musical instru- 

 ment, a sort of drmn or tambourme ; and her companion, the male 

 figure, wears a Phrygian cap, a skirted tunic with a small cloak 

 or pallium fastened on the right shoulder, and the very unusual 

 accompaniment of braccse or trousers, which are loose and plainly 

 distinct above the boot or shoe. The pecvdiarity of this dress led 

 to the suggestion that it might have been that in fasliion among 

 the natives of the Island at the time the mosaic was laid down, 

 A pandean pipe is held in the right hand, and a shepherd's crook 

 in the left. Another panel is interpreted to represent Ceres oflfering 

 the fruits of the earth to Triptolemus, who (perfectly nude) holds 

 the hinder part of an ancient plough. Another was suggested 

 to contain a representation of Lycurgus, King of Tlirace, persecuting 

 a Bacchante. The fourth panel is too much injured for the subject 

 to be identified. One remarkable adornment of the border round 

 this room is at the head of it, where a Swastica or Vedic cross is 

 represented. This ubiquitous symbol has been found in India, 

 China, Japan, on Greek coins, on Etruscan vases, on Celtic monu- 

 ments, as weU as on the pottery discovered by Dr. Schliemann 

 on the site of Troy. The Lecturer had Ukewise met with it upon 



