8 Shells as evidence of the Migrations. 
the colour of blood, the principle of life.” The true reason 
for the belief in its vital power is suggested in the [ntro- 
duction to this volume. 
The mere price of the purple made the use of it a 
privilege of kings and priests. 
By the Greeks and Romans purple was regarded as 
the peculiar insignia of royalty or of official distinction, 
such as magistrates, military officials, priests, etc. It also 
played an important role in certain of their legends. 
Its use was forbidden to the common people, and laws 
were made inflicting severe penalties, and even death itself, 
upon all under the dignity of an emperor who should 
presume to wear it. 
Though the Tyrian purple served principally as a dye 
for cloth, generally of wool, but sometimes of silk, it was 
also employed as a paint for the parchments of precious 
books written in letters of gold, and as a colour for inks.” 
It had a prominent place also among the toilet requisites 
of the Romans and was applied in place of rouge to the 
cheeks and lips." 
Attention might also be called here to the use of the 
purple on the sails of vessels in the earliest times. These 
sails were of rich colours, with floral and other designs, 
and were in early use in Egypt, and seem to have been 
bought by the Tyrians.” The hem or border of these sails 
was coloured according to the rank or station of the owner. 
It is mentioned by Atticus that the sails of the large ship 
of Ptolemy Philopater were of fine linen, ornamented with 
a purple border. And we find the ship of Antony and 
™® Besnier, of. ctt., p. 777. 
'? Jbid. p. 778. 
** Athenwwus, xiii, ch. 8, p. 604. See also Besnier, of. ctt., p. 778, for 
other references. 
*® Ezekiel, 27,7... ** Fine linen, with embroidered work from Egypt, 
was that which thou spreadest forth to be thy sails.” 
