CHAP. XIV. ORYX. 189 



abound, no less than those of the Thebaid, with 

 proofs of this fact. But a particular one may 

 have been set apart and consecrated to the Deity, 

 — being distinguished by certain marks which the 

 priests fancied they could discern, as in the case 

 of oxen exempted from sacrifice. ^ And if the law 

 permitted the Oryx to be killed without the mark 

 of the pontiff's seal, (which was indispensable for 

 oxen previous to their being taken to the altar,) 

 the privilege of exemption might be secured to a 

 single animal, when kept apart within the inac- 

 cessible precincts of a temple. 



In the Zodiacs, the Oryx was chosen to repre- 

 sent the sign Capricornus. 



M. Champollion considers it the representative 

 of Seth ; and HorapoUot gives it an unamiable cha- 

 racter, as the emblem of impurity. It was even 

 thought " to foreknow the rising of the Moon, and 

 to be indignant at her presence." Pliny is disposed 

 to give it credit for better behaviour towards the 

 Dog-star 1:, which, when rising, it looked upon with 

 the appearance of adoration. But the naturalist 

 was misinformed respecting the growth of its hair§, 

 in imitation of the Bull Basis. 



Such are the fables of old writers ; and, judging 

 from the important post it held in the boat of 

 Sokari, I am disposed to consider it the emblem of 

 a good rather than of an evil Deity, contrary to the 

 opinion of the learned Champollion. 



* Herodot. ii. 38, 



t Horapollo, i. 49. Vide MWan. An. x. 28. 



t Plin. ii. 40. TElian, vii. 8. § Plin. viii. 33. 



