276 MR. E. H. C. WALSH, I.O.S., ON A CUP-MARK INSCRIPTION. 



some definite meaning. The most noticeable of these, both in the Kumaon rock inscrip- 

 tions and in the present inscription, is the double row of parallel lines. There must, how- 

 ever, be other definite forms of grouping, if more than a single idea is to be conveyed, 

 and in the text figure I show in compartments A, B, C, D, E and F. certain groupings 

 which, because of the symmetry of arrangement or for other reasons, may possibly be 

 intentional. One of these (group A.) bears a strong resemblance to the constellation of the 

 Great Bear, which, with Orion, is the most conspicuous constellation in the sky. If this is 

 so, the group may have some meaning connected with the direction of the path to be fol- 

 lowed to the north. This is, however, merely a fanciful conjecture and I attach no im- 

 portance to it, as the two large cups (Nos. 3 and 4) appear rather to form part of the con- 

 tinuous line running down from them vertically, and the other two large cups (Nos. 1 and 

 2) to form a lozenge with the two adjacent large cups (Nos. 5 and 6). I merely note the 

 resemblance of this group to the constellation. The other possible groups which 

 suggested themselves are based, in each case, on the symmetry of their arrangement. 

 But, as already noted, the subject is at present purely one of conjecture, and resemblances 

 must be noted, and definite groupings be found, to recur in different examples before a 

 recognised symbol can be assumed. 



