MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 137 



(figs. 29 and 30). A striking feature is the realistic and 

 admirably drawn forms of birds and beasts of the chase 

 and of men, though the latter are not generally a success, 

 and occasionally of the human form with heads of birds or 

 with wings."* Some of the designs, as well as the general 

 decorative treatment, are peculiar to the Isle of Man, and 

 all exhibit true artistic feeling, and most of them skill in 

 execution. A few of the older Celtic pieces exhibit 

 Scripture scenes : — The Temptation of Adam and Eve 

 (Bride), Daniel in the Lions' Den (Braddan), The 

 Virgin and Child (Maughold), and the unique Crucifixion 

 from the Calf of Man, an example of pure Byzan- 

 tine art (fig. 31). It is also of peculiar interest to note 

 the work of the first Scandinavian Christian sculptors, 

 following the earlier Celtic models with great freedom and 

 evolving effective designs from the most simple motives. 

 Finally, we find on later pieces illustrations from the old 

 Norse Myths (figs. 32 to 36) — a series illustrating the story of 

 Sigurd Eafni's-Bane, and figures of the gods Odin, Thor, 

 and Heimdall, and of giants, dwarfs, and monsters. A 

 complete collection of casts of over 100 crosses taken by 

 Mr. T. H. Royston, of Douglas, finds a temporary location 

 in the Masonic Rooms, Ramsey, and nearly all have now 

 been figured for Mr. Kermode's book on the subject. We 

 reproduce in the preceding eight pages, a series of ten 

 typical examples, as follows : — 



Fig. 32 shows a slab 7 feet long which was found as 

 gate-post of a field at Jurby. Alongside the shaft of the 

 cross we see, above, Sigurd in his pit — here ingeniously 

 represented as a hollow mound — in the act of slaying the 

 Dragon ; below, he is shown sucking the thumb he had 

 burnt in roasting the dragon's heart. One of the talking 

 birds and Sigurd's steed Grani are also shown. 

 * Catalogue of Manks Crosses, 2nd Ed. 



