325 
was named Hof, Rehof, or Apophis (fig. 7), “tlie destroyer, the 
enemy of the gods,* and the devourer of the souls of men.” That 
such a creature once inhabited the Libyan desert, we have the 
Fig. 7. Apophis, the destroyer. The hieroglyphics above his head compose the 
letters of his name, A. — P — P. 
testimony both of Hanno the Carthaginianf and Lucan the 
Roman and if it is now no longer an inhabitant of that 
region, it is probably owing to the advance of civilization 
having driven it further south. 
6. With one or other of these snakes all the ideographic 
theology of Egypt is involved. Does the king desire to 
declare his divine authority, he assumes the sacred asp of 
Amun-Ra (fig. 8), and wears the basilisk upon his crown. The 
* From Hof or Hf is derived the Coptic name of a snake to this day. 
t See Periplus, Cory’s translation. 
+ First of those plagues the drowsy asp appeared, (Cerastes.) 
Then first her crest and swelling neck she reared ; 
A. larger drop of black congealing blood 
Distinguished her amidst the deadly brood ; 
Of all the serpent race are none so fell, 
None with so many deaths such plenteous venoms swell 
Her scaly fold th’ Haemarrhois unbends, (Apophis ?) 
