HOLMES I VASES OP THE P( )LY(HK< )ME GROUP. 145 



highly specialized condition of the uteiasil, has not lost sight of the 

 conception that the vessel is the body of an animal, as we have seen 

 so often in simpler forms, and that the symbols of the creature should 

 appear upon it and encircle it. The zone is divided into two ef^ual 

 sections by small knobs, painted, as are the handle-like appendages 

 in the preceding specimen, to represent some animal feature. The 

 lateral sections are occupied by eye-like figures that stand for the 

 markings of the body of the creature symbolized. They really oc- 

 cupy the spaces left by a continuous waved body or life line, whicli 

 they serve to define. Devices of this class are most frequently met 

 with in connection with representations of the alligator. They may, 

 however, symbolize the serpent, as occasionally seen in the alligator 

 group. Decorative concej^tions so remarkable as these could arise 

 only through one channel: the channel of mythology. The super- 

 stitions of men have imposed upon the art a series of conceptions 

 fixed in character and limited to especial positions, relations, and 

 forms of expression. It is useless to speculate upon the nature of 

 the mythologic conceptions with an idea of ari'iving at any iinder- 

 standing of the religion of the people ; but we do learn something 

 of the stage of development, something of the condition of philos- 

 ophy. 



I miist not close this section without referring to some fine 

 vases that belong apparently to this group and which were collected 



Fit!. iVi. IjarjfH vase 

 li ETH 1(1 



