from Malta, ibid., and two serpents worshipping fruit (Pompeian), 
which fruit agrees exactly with the offering to the Assyrian 
Asshur, and with the fruit of the sacred tree embroidered on 
the dresses of the kings of Nineveh. Figs. 31 to 31e. 
50. The tradition of the Fall is evidently portrayed in 
the Mexican narrative through the records of its principal 
event, described as the gods , in fear of man J s power, breathing 
a cloud upon the eyes of men ; evidently the tradition of the 
obstacle put to the power of attaining to the Tree of Life. 
The words are almost identical with the Hebrew original : 
“ Man is become as one of us to know good and evil” ; but even 
bere bearing evidence of a remarkable perversion, like the in- 
verted story of Cain and Abel already mentioned ; for here it is 
man that was good, and tc worshipped the Creator with thanks 
for existence,” and the gods who, without provocation , breathed 
clouds on his eyes to limit his vision. 
51. It will be readily seen by those acquainted with the subject, 
that I could have introduced many points which seem even more 
nearly to approach to an explanation of some of the questions 
I have endeavoured to answer, such as Indian, Grecian, Persian, 
and American traditions of a superior being wounding the 
serpent’s head, and the serpent either wounding or biting off his 
foot, as in the account of Crishna (e. g.) ; or of the cry of “ eve ” 
or eva” by the celebrants of the mysteries, while they held 
living serpents in their hands, and others ; but, in the limits of 
a single paper, I have deemed it better to break new ground, 
and to confine myself to the simplest evidences that the case 
admits in connection with nature-worship. 
The Chairman. — I am sure the meeting must be perfectly unanimous in 
voting its thanks to Dr. Phene for his interesting paper. The Honorary 
Secretary has to read two communications, after which it will be open for 
any present to offer remarks thereon. 
The Hon. Secretary. — Two letters upon the subject before us have 
been received— one from Professor C. Piazzi Smyth, who, having read a 
proof copy of Dr. Phene’s paper, “ takes exception to the way in which 
Mr. Phen6 introduces his subject, and also to the statement that fires ever 
burned at the top of the pyramids,” adding that “ the sides of the Great 
Pyramid were originally steep, sloping planes, and its top, a sharp-pointed 
apex.” The other is from the Rev. Canon Titcomb, “ taking exception to the 
statement that the pyramids were built to supply the place of mountains.” 
— I may say that General Crawford, who has lately returned from Egypt, 
states that the hills in the neighbourhood are about 800 feet high. Canon 
Titcomb adds, “With regard to serpent- worship being one of the dangers to 
which the Israelites were exposed when first coming in contact with the 
Phoenician or Canaanitish race, surely there is other evidence of it than 
that adduced in referring to the brazen serpent (the circumstances in regard 
