2 71 
of the 'Egyptian Ibis. 
its singular utility in destroying serpents, and other noxious 
reptiles : * * * § hence, the figure of this bird is seen on many mo- 
numents of Egyptian antiquity, as an inhabitant of their temples, 
and an attendant on their sacrifices. 1 '}' It was likewise em- 
ployed as a symbol in their hieroglyphical writing and the 
punishment of death was inflicted on those who killed this 
sacred bird. The other extraordinary qualities ascribed to the 
Ibis by Pliny, Plutarch, and some succeeding writers, are 
either too indistinctly expressed to be quite intelligible, or too 
obviousty absurd to be credible. § 
Explanation of Plate VIII. 
A, Vertebrae of the neck. 
B, The head. 
C, The bill. 
D, The tail. 
E, The right leg and foot. 
F, The left leg and foot. 
G, The hind claw bent forwards. 
H, The sternum. 
I, A quill of the wing feathers. 
The whole is represented of the natural size. 
• The remark of Cicero on this subject, is perhaps no less true than shrewd: 
“ Ipsi, qui irridentur, Egyptii, nullam belluam, nisi ob aliquam utilitatem, quam ex 
«« ea caperent, consecraverunt.” De Natura Deorum, lib. i. 
-}• Explication de divers Monumens singuliers, Calmet. 
J Hieroglyph ■ Horapollo, xxxvi. Rhodigin. Antiq. Led. lib. iv. c. xvi. 
§ C. Phnii Nat. Hist. lib. viii. c, xxvii. Plutarch. De Iside, &c. 
