BUDDHIST OPINIONS AND MONUMENTS OF ASIA. 263 
(7’), a bull (8), &c., on other coins. This proves their identity with the symbols on 
the stones ‘in Scotland. 
Various other examples and modifications might be stated, but I shall now 
only mention the interesting and solitary example of such symbols upon a rock 
in Galloway. In this example, the sculptured “ spectacle ornament,” is near the 
top of the rock, with organized matter in the form of a horn, having an orna- 
mented large extremity or mouth, turned to the symbol of the deity, and from 
what might be considered as its navel, two diverging lines proceed and termi- 
nate in a circle, or embryo head (fig. m); whilst lower down another (8), more 
formed and detached, is intended as a human head, with two feelers or antenne, 
to communicate with the external world; by which means, the embryo was most 
probably fancied to be developed to its full size and figure. 
The serpent is represented on several of the engraved stones of Scotland, as 
the symbol of the deity, or spirit ; and this bore allusion to objects of a divine or 
intellectual nature.* It was therefore represented as transfixed by a cross-bar, 
uniting the extremities of two sceptres (fig. n); as on the stone of Belutheron 
and of Meigle, over which an embryo elephant is the representation of crude 
organized matter; which, like those near the circles, it was supposed to 
typify. 
In some cases the trinity is represented in the form of a horse-shoe, with or- 
ganized matter in the form of a fowl (fig. ~). 
A third variety of the symbol of the spiritual deity isa sculptured square, or 
oblong fork-like figure; a modification of the cross, or Buddhist sacred labyrinth. 
This is the complicated form of the Buddhist cross (fig. 9), which forms a cu- 
rious subject of inquiry, as it is found on ancient Phoenician pottery, and on 
Gaza Coins; and is considered to be the Phoenician letter Tau (fig. 8), the sym- 
bol of divine life.+ It is also found on Christian monuments,{ and on the dress 
of a gravedigger in the catacombs of Rome.j In Scotland this cross occurs 
in the fourth line of the Newton stone (fig. y). Such examples of squares, or 
modifications of the Buddhist cross, are to be found on the Maiden stone, and on 
the Abernethy and other stones (fig. 0, 7’). 
On further examining these interesting sculptured stones of this country, we 
find other symbols of the faith ofthe Buddhists. The veneration which they had for 
certain trees affords a striking similarity, and appears to have given origin to their 
* Physici vero serpentem spiritualissimum animal esse dicunt; itaque res divinas, per ser- 
__ pentis naturam notabant.—Eusebius, Prep. Evang., liii., c. 3. 
¢ Raoul-Rochette, Mem. de l’Academie Royal des Ins. et Belles Lettres, tom. xvi., p. 312, et 
Xvil., part 2, p. 329. 
t Loe. cit., p. 302. Boldetti Cosservazioni, pp. 87 and 350. Lupi. (Epitaph S. Sever. Mart., 
p- 11); and on a Christian sarcophagus described by Allegranza (Sacri Monumenti, Milan, 1577), 
tab, iv. and vi. 
§ Louis Perrets sur les Catacombes de Rome, vol. i., p. 30. 
VOL. XXT. PART II. 4B 
