321 
“ Kecord of the Creation,” By Archbishop Sumner, D.D. 
From S. Vincent, Fsq. 
“ Sacred and Profane Literature.” By E. Cray, D.D. Ditto. 
“ Verbal Inspiration.” By Eev. J. Baylee, D.D. From the Author. 
“ Glory of the Great Pyramid.” By E. Heine. 
From Prof. G. Piazzi Smyth. 
“On an Equal Surface Projection and its Anthropological Applications.” 
By Prof. 0. P. Smyth. From the Author. 
“ Earth Commensurable Measures.” By the same. . Ditto. 
The following Paper, illustrated with numerous diagrams, photographs 
and specimens, was then read by the Author : — 
ON PREHISTORIC TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS 
IN CONNECTION WITH SUN AND SERPENT 
WORSHIP (j with Subsequent Notes). By J. S. Phene, 
Esq., LL.D., F.S.A., F.R.G.S., &c. 
I N approaching the subject indicated in the title of this paper, 
I propose to do so in the first instance by a slight sketch 
of natural and first impressions, for the purpose of weighing 
the influence they may have exercised on the peculiar worship 
under consideration. 
2. Over the wide world are evidences of what ,prima facie, seems 
so strange and repulsive a custom, that those who hear of it for 
the first time may be excused expressions of incredulity and 
disgust; yet, although there is a popular adage that “vice has 
only to be seen to be abhorred,” experience proves to us that it 
depends very much upon the garb in which we see it, w r hat 
amount of abhorrence, if any, will be accorded. So we have 
examples of those in whom disgust would most probably show 
itself prominently towards the features of that to which I 
allude, being drawn, either from ignorance of danger or by a 
species of fascination, to display towards its symbol at least, 
admiration rather than disgust, and fondness rather than 
repulsion. I refer to the almost universal prevalence of serpent- 
worship in ancient times, the extant remains of which are still 
to be found on probably all the continents of the earth. 
3. The effect upon a person hearing for the first time of the 
worship of an idol — an actually fabricated god — is, as a rule, 
one of surprise and pity ; but on hearing of the worship of a 
serpent, it is one of disgust and abhorrence. These feelings are 
very much the result of education, i. e. a knowledge of the 
dangerous properties of serpents, as it is shown from several 
recorded instances of children petting snakes they had disco- 
2 b 2 
