CHAP. XIV. HUMPED OX. — DOLPHIN. l\)[) 



tliree, instead of being emblems of tlie Sun, as 

 Macrobius supposes, were cor jccrated to Osiris. 



The other bulls and cows mentioned by Strabo* 

 did not hold the rank of Gods, but were only 

 sacred: and this distinction may be applied to 

 other animals worshipped by the Egyptians. 



Buffalo, and Indian or Humped Ox. 



1 have met with no representation of the buffalo; 

 though, from its being now so common in the coun- 

 try, and indigenous in Abyssinia, it was probably 

 not unknown to the ancient Egyptians. 



The Indian or humped ox was common in former 

 times, and is abundant in Upper Ethiopia, though 

 no longer a native of Egypt. Like other cattle, it 

 was used for sacrifice as for the table ; and large 

 herds were kept in the farms of the wealthy Egyp- 

 tians, by whom the meat, particularly the hump on 

 the shoulder, was doubtless esteemed as a dainty. 

 It is sometimes represented decked with flowers 

 and garlands on its way to the altar ; but there is 

 no appearance of its having been emblematic of any 

 Deity, or of having held a post among the sacred 

 animals of the country. 



The Dolphin. 



The dolphin, a native of the sea, was not likely 

 to command the respect of the terrestrial, or, if 



* Strabo, xvii. p. 552. He applies his remark only to A{)is and 

 Mnevis. Vide supra, p. 195. 



o 4 



