CHAP. xrii. 



APIS AND MNEVIS. 



349 



lump under his tongue in the form of a beetle." 

 Ammianus Marcellinus * says the white crescent 

 on his right side was the principal sign by which 

 he was known : and /Elian mentions 29 marks by 

 which he was recognised, each referable to some 

 mystic signification. But he pretends that the 

 Egyptians did not allow those given by Herodotus 

 and Aristagoras. Some suppose him entirely black, 

 and others contend that certain marks, as the pre- 

 dominating black colour, and the beetle on his 

 tongue, sliow him to be consecrated to the Sun, 

 as the crescent to the Moon. Ammianus and 

 others say that " Apis was sacred to the Moon, 

 Mnevis to the Sun;" and most authors seem to 

 describe the latter of a black colour. 



With regard to the accuracy or inaccuracy of 

 Herodotus respecting the peculiar marks of Apis, 



In the possession of Miss Rogers. 



1. Bronze figure of Apis. 



2. The marks on his back. 



it is difficult to determine. There is, however, 

 evidence from the bronzes discovered in Egypt, 



* Anim. Marc. xxii. l-t. 



