'8 



ANCIENT CARVED STONE. 



if Dr. Bruce's representation of it be correct, as a Greek cross. Next, 

 on the theory that it is a cross, we have no explanation of the adop- 

 tion of the symbolical form of carving, su.ch as is presented by the 

 proposition to read IT = iterum, denoting the second consulship of 

 the usurper Postumus. Again, of the objects found along the line of 

 the wall to which dates can be assigned, some are of the 2nd century, 

 many of the 3rd, very few of the 4th, and none of the 5th, if we 

 except coins. The triangle, moreover, which has been regarded as 

 one of the proofs of the Christian character of the stone, may more 

 probably be explained as the representation of a pediment, the tym- 

 panum of which was commonly filled with sculptures. On the whole, 

 I propose the solution — Cohors Gallorum quarta — as certain, and add 

 to my previous i-emarks the suggestion that on the corner broken off 

 (and, I fear, lost) there was, balancing the quadra, the representa- 

 tion of a chors (whence cohors is derived) i.e., probably, of a poultry 

 coop. The explanation that I have offered of the three objects at the 

 vertical angle does not appear to me equally satisfactory, but I 

 regard it as much better than any other of which I am aware, and 

 as probably the true solution. 



^^ The necessity for the gallus being in the middle, where the height of the 

 stone was greatest, and thus for the clwrs and quadra occupying the angles at 

 the base, satisfactorily accounts for the order being Cohors Gallorum quarta, 

 not Cohors quarta Gallorum as found in inscriptions. 



