366 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XV. 



that the libation was poured out before the offerings 



^ • were placed upon it ; 

 I 4 and instances are even 



t found in the sculptures 

 . .- _ of this preparatory ce- 

 N0.477.C. Vases used for libations. remonv. * TwoUlnds 



of vases were principally used for libation, and the 

 various kinds of wine were indicated by the names 

 affixed to them. 



White and red wines, those of the Upper and 

 Lower Country, grape juice or wine of the vine- 

 yard (one of the most delicious beverages of a hot 

 climate, and one which is commonly used in Spain 

 and other countries at the present day), were the 

 most noted denominations in- 

 troduced into the lists of offer- 

 ings on the monuments. 



Beer and milk were also ad- 



offering of milk, epuoi". fitted amongst them ; and oils 



of various kinds t, for which 



Egypt was famous, were presented as welcome 



offerings at the shrines of the Gods. 



I have already t had occasion to notice sortie 

 of the gifts presented to Isis for preserving an in- 

 dividual from the danger of the sea ; and it is 

 evident from this, and the prayer that accom- 

 panied it, that the size of the offering depended 

 on the gratitude of the donor for the favour he 

 received, and on the extent of the demand made 

 by him for future blessings. 



* Fide infra, Woodcut, No. 484. 



f Vide supra. Vol. I. (2cl Series') p. 55., on the Oils of Egypt, 



-j Srtprd, Vol. I. (2d Series), p. .386. 



No. 477. d. 



