190 NATFEAL HISTORY OF 



r 



Porrum et csepe nefas violare, et frangere morsu. 

 O sanctas gentes, quibus hsec nascuntur in hortis 

 Numina ! 



It was consecrated to the sun, and representations 

 of it are of frequent occurrence in their hieroglyphi- 

 cal writings ; it was likewise sculptured on their rings, 

 bracelets, necklaces, and other ornaments, and even 

 enclosed in their coffins along with the embalmed 

 bodies of the dead. As typical of the luminary 

 which is the fountain of light and heat, and the 

 source of all abundance, it came likewise to be re- 

 garded as the emblem of fertility ; and we are in- 

 formed by Dr Clarke that it is eaten by the Egyp- 

 tian women, even at the present day, under the idea 

 that it is of efficacy for this purpose. As natural 

 objects were regarded with religious veneration in 

 Egypt, either in consequence of their being of uti- 

 lity to the inhabitants,* or because they were con- 

 ceived peculiarly adapted to symbolize some higher 

 nature, and bring it by means of its representative 

 more immediately under the influence of the senses, 

 we are likely to find in one of these causes the rea- 

 son of this species being raised to such distinguished 

 honours. 



Many of the Scarabceidce or larger kinds of dung- 



* Ipsi qui irridentur Egyptii nullam belluam, nisi ob 

 aliquam utilitatem, quam ex ea caperent, consecraverunt; 

 velut Ibes maximam vim serpentium conficiunt, &c. Ci- 

 cero de Nat. Deorum. 



