[ 86 } 
as we learn from Strabo, being feated not far from 
the Vada Volaterrana, near the place w’ere the river' 
Cascina threw itfelf into the Tyrrhenian fea. I would 
therefore read the legend, on the reverfe of this coin, 
■ FELATHERI, FELATERI, or FELATERRI ; 
the fifth letter being (13) lometimes endued with the 
power of T'heta^ and lometimes with that of 'Tau ; and" 
a duplication of confonants, in writing, having been 
unknown to the mofi: ancient Etrufeans. That the 
vowel E, between the fifth and lixth elements of the 
Tufean legend, on the reverfe hereon, fliould be fup- 
prefied, or omitted, w'ill not be any matter of furprize to 
thofe who are apprized, that fuch a fuppreflion, or o- 
midion, fo confonant to the genius of theHebrew and 
Phoenician orthography, from which that of the moft 
(14) ancient Etrufeans could not have greatly differ- 
ed, in old Tufean words, does not feldom (15) 
occur. Of this MENLE, HERCLE, MELACRE, 
PHVLNICE, MENREA, which were read ME- 
NELE, or MENELAE, HERCVLE, MELE-' 
ACRE, PHVLVNICE, MENEREA, or MENER- 
FA (i6), are convincing proofs; to omit many 
other fimilar inftances, that might, with great facility, 
be produced. But this is fo fettled a point, that it 
(13) Anton. Francife. Gor, Muf. Etrufe. Vol. II. p. 408, 
409- 
( 14) Svvint. De Lingua Etrur. Regal. Vernac. Dijfcrtat. Oxon. 
1738. 
(15) Phil, Bonarot. Tho. Dempft. et Anton. Francife. Gor. 
ul i fup. pair. Vid. etiam Joan. Bapt. PalTer, Pilaurenf. Hellenifm, 
Eirufeor, in Symbol. Litteran. i^c. Vol. II. p. 33 — 73. Florentise, 
1748, Sc Carlo Antonioli in Antic, Gem, Etrujc, fpiegat. 
illujlrat. lAc. p. 70 — 78. In Pi fa, 1757. 
(16) Ildem ibid. 
4 
will 
