152 Archaic Sculpturings. 



with the serpent devices. The precepts thus found to be 

 ilkistrated are of the most interesting character. 



On some comparatively late North EngUsh and INIanx 

 stones the serpent is introduced with quite different signifi- 

 cance, apparently under indirect Norse influence. 



The serpent is to be seen on several ancient British 

 coins ; but it is in ancient North Britain where the symbolism 

 of the serpent is to be found in an abundance most extra- 

 ordinary. 



Before the opening of the eleventh century the cult of 

 the serpent had weakened before the growing strength of 

 the newer doctrines, and had to give way. The serpent was 

 thereafter lowered from its profoundly ancient high position, 

 and became a mere reptile, standing for everything that was 

 evil. - 



The Minnigaff Stone. 



One of the pillar-stones at Minnigaff has a cross cut in one 

 side, surmounted by a bird, which seems to have the signifi- 

 cation which has just been explained. On another side of 

 this pillar-stone (Fig. 13), which is somewhat square in 

 section, there is a curious human figure. It is a unique repre- 

 sentation so far as I am aware. It consists of a human head 

 and body, the latter without any details either of arms or legs. 

 This is symbolic, and seems to be intended to emphasise the 

 supremacy of the spiritual or mental attributes in man as 

 against the lower or physical attributes. 



The Closeburn Stone. 



On one side of the Closeburn stone there are two symbol- 

 pictures extremely difficult to interpret (Fig. 14). As often 

 happens, they seem both to be in marked contrast with the 

 symbolism conveyed by the pictures on the other face of the 

 same monument (Fig. 15). On the upper panel, which is 

 square, an odd animal figure has been filled in. The four limbs 

 of the animal are outstretched like those of a floating frog. It 

 is human, save for the head and long ears, which resemble 

 those of an ass. Was this a text for some such discourse 

 as follows? Man always realised that there were four quar- 



