73 
The Assurance Magazine and Journal of the Institute of Actuaries. 
Vol. VIII., Part 4. January 1858. 8vo . — From the Institute 
of Actuaries . 
Isothermal and Rain Charts, illustrating the Climatology of the 
United States, and of the Temperate Latitudes of the North 
American Continent. By Lorin Blodget. Philadelphia, 1857- 
Folio . — From Professor Henry D. Rogers. 
Monday , ls£ February 1858. 
Sir DAVID BREWSTER, V.P., in the Chair. 
The following Communications were read — 
1. On the Form and Origin of the Symbols on the Ancient 
Sculptured Stones of Scotland. By Dr Wise. 
In continuation of his former essay on the sculptured stones pecu- 
liar to the north-eastern portion of Scotland, the author produced, 
for the inspection of the Society, two specimens of the Buddhist dorje , 
which he considered to be the prototype of the well-known spectacle- 
ornament , found on no fewer than thirty-four of those stones ; and, in 
twenty-nine instances, in combination with zig-zag lines, the symbol 
of power. The dorje is a portable instrument, which represents the 
two original members of the Buddhist Triad, spirit and matter, and 
is employed by the Buddhist priests of Tartary, &c., in the per- 
formance of religious worship. 
The dorjes which were exhibited consisted each of two hollow- 
ribbed spheres, or ovals of brass, united by a handle, two inches long, 
of the same metal. When represented on the black board, with its 
axes or poles towards the spectator, one of the dorjes resembled 
exactly the spectacle-ornament on the larger Aberlemno stone in 
F orfarshire. 
The dorje is considered indispensable to the Buddhist priest, during 
certain religious ceremonies. It is held over the head of the kneeling 
penitent in the act of absolution ; and a sacred bell (likewise exhi- 
bited), having at the extremity of its handle a ball similar to those 
of the dorje , is rung. In some temples direct worship is paid to a 
drje kept for that purpose. 
VOL. IV. 
K 
