SCARAB^ID^ — DUNG-BEETLES. 39 



deity on tlie concave, are of a date posterior to the Ptole- 

 mies ; and, moreover, all the ordinary gems, which repre- 

 sent the figures or heads of Serapis, or Aniil)is, are of the 

 Roman era.^ According to C. Caylus, the Egyptians used 

 these gems for amulets, and made them of all substances 

 except metal. They preferred, however, those of pottery, 

 covered with green and black enamel. Cylinders, squares, 

 and pyramids were first used ; then came the Scarabaei, 

 which were the last forms. They now began to have the 

 appearance of seals or stamps, and many believe them to 

 have been such. . The body of the beetle being a convenient 

 hold for the hand, and the base a place of safety and facility 

 to engrave whatsoever was wished to be stamped or printed. 

 Many of these characters are as yet unintelligible. These 

 seals are made of the most durable stones, and their convex 

 part commonly worked without much art. 



The Egyptian form of the Scarab^eus, which somewhat 

 resembled a half- walnut, the Etruscans adopted in the 

 manufacture of their gems. These scarcely exceed the 

 natural size of the Scarabeeus which they have on the con- 

 vex side. They have also a hole drilled through them 

 lengthwise, for suspension from the neck, or annexation to 

 some other part of the person. They are generally corne- 

 lians. Some are of a style very ancient, and of extremely 

 precious work, although in the Etruscan manner, which is 

 correctness of design in the figures, and hardness in the 

 turn of the muscles. 



The Greeks also made use of the Scarabseus in their 

 gems ; but in the end they suppressed the insect, and pre- 

 served alone the oval form which the base presented, for 

 the body of the sculpture. They also mounted them in 

 their rings. '^ 



Several Egyptian Scarab[ei were among the relics dis- 

 covered by Layard at Arban on the banks of the Khabour ; 

 and similar objects have been brought from Nimroud, and 

 various other ruins in Assyria.^ 



1 Winkleman, Art. 2, c. 1. 



2 Paraph, fi'om Fosbroke's Encycl. of Antiq., i. 208. 



3 Of those deposited in the British Museum, Mr. Birch has made 

 the following report : 



1. A Scarabseus having on the h&se Ra-men-Chepr, a prenomen of 



