74 On Animals depicted an Antique Monuments. 



out its habits, which, according to their notions, kept it at no 

 great distance from their dwelling-places. 



B. The common heron {Ardea cinerea, Lin.). 



C. The sacred ibis (Ibis 7-eligiosa, Cuvier). 



This bird, as is well known, was much venerated in Egypt, 

 where it was embalmed after its death. It is not astonishing 

 therefore that a monument, on which we find the greater number 

 of the productions of Egypt, should transmit a memorial of it. 



D. The green ibis {Scolopax Jcdcinelbcs, Lin.). 



III. Palmipedes. Webfooted Birds. 



Anseres. Many of the swan and duck tribes are represented 

 on the mosaic, swimming for the most part in the Nile. It 

 appears that a great number of species are collected ; but, lest 

 we should be incorrect, we shall not attempt to refer each to 

 its particular kind. 



REPTILES. 



The reptiles which are observed on the pavement of the tem- 

 ple belong to three different orders, viz. to the Chelonia, the 

 Sauria, and the Ophidia. Of these we find numerous indivi- 

 duals. 



I. Chelonia. 



The fresh-water tortoises are represented as placed upon a 

 rock, near which two others are swimming. The form of their 

 feet manifests it was the intention of the artist to represent fresh- 

 water tortoises, rather than land or marine tortoises. 



II. Sauria. 



The first of the Sauria refer to the genus Crocodile. These 

 crocodiles, represented of a great size, are those of the Nile, the 

 Lacerta crocodilus of Linnaeus. These animals have been so 

 often represented upoii the ancient medals, &c., that no doubt 

 can exist as to the determining of them. 



The other great species of Sauria represents some great species 

 of the monitor of Africa — the great lizard. It may be remark- 

 ed, that we read close to this animal the word Sauaj ; the let- 



