CHAP. XIV. THE ASS TYPHONIAN. 185 



plimentary honour of being sacred to Typho. This 

 distinction entailed upon it another less enviable, 

 though more positive mark, of their notice, *' the 

 Coptites being in the habit of throwing an ass 

 down a precipice, considering it unclean and im- 

 pure, from its supposed resemblance to Typho.*" 

 *' The inhabitants of (Abydust), Busiris, and Ly- 

 copolis carried their detestation of this animal still 

 farther ; so that they even scrupled to make use 

 of trumpets, because their sound was thought to 

 be like the braying of an ass."t 



It was from " the idea entertained by the Egyp- 

 tians of the stupidity and sensuality of its dis- 

 position, that they gave the Persian Prince Ochus 

 the name of the Ass, in token of their execration 

 of so detestable a tyrant." Even the colour of this 

 animal was thought to partake of the nature of the 

 Evil Being; and with a similar prejudice, when- 

 ever any individual happened to have a red com- 

 plexion or red hair, they considered him con- 

 nected w^ith Typho. For this reason they offered 

 red oxen in their sacrifices ; and in consequence 

 of its supposed resemblance to Typho, " those 

 cakes offered in sacrifices, during the two months 

 Paiini and Phaophi, had the impression of an ass 

 bound stamped upon them ; and for the same 

 reason, when they sacrificed to the Sun, they 

 strictly enjoined all who approached to worship 



* Pint, de Is. s. 30. 



-f- jElian, x. 28. says, Busiris, Abydiis, and Lycopolis. 



j Most people will agree in the unmelodioas voice of this animal ; 

 but the Pythagoreans had a curious idea, that " it was not susceptible 

 of harmony, being insensible to the sound of the Itjrc" ^lian, x. 28. 



