224 W. Theobald — Notes on some of the symbols found on the [No. 3, 
Ancient Hindu Coins. (Edited by Thomas) PI. XX, 6g. 25, a copper 
coin. Fig. 32 is from a coin in ray own possession, of silver. 
49. A TEIONTX, OR RIVER TURTLE. Fig. 35. 
On one coin in my possession a turtle with its neck protruded 
beyond its shell is seen in the act of swimming, apparently, and Thomas 
has the figure of one with a fish on either side, as though to point out 
it is a water turtle and not a land tortoise which is represented. The 
animal may perhaps represent the mythical turtle which in Hindu 
cosmogony supports the universe, but it is more probably intended for 
an ordinary ‘ trionyx ’ which in the Indian rivers is so prominent an 
object, and would bo one of the most remarkable animals in the eyes of 
a people who had immigrated to the fertile plains of India, from the 
cold highlands of Asia, where such reptiles are unknown, or represent- 
ed by species of insignificant size compared with such powerful creatures 
as the ‘ Trionyx ’ of the Ganges. The turtle is also regarded by some 
as a phallical emblem, and as the worship of Mahadev is clearly referred 
to on these coins, the turtle may be introduced as an emblem of his 
cult. 
The turtle is too infrequent on these coins, as compared with the 
very common elephant, to render it likely that by the turtle is intended 
the mythical opponent of the elephant, when both fell victims to the 
superior might of ‘ Oaruda,’ and were carried off in his talons to be 
devoured by him. (See Zoological Mythology, Vol. II, page 363). 
50. A FROG BETWEEN TWO ‘ Taurines,' Fig. 28. 
This symbol is not common, neither is it mentioned by Thomas. 
It is, however, very clearly represented on one coin in my possession, 
and has symbol No. 3 placed between the frog’s front and hind legs. 
In Vedio mythology the frog represented the clouds, and the 
animal may well have served as the symbol of the rainy season, when 
the fi-ogs are all life and activity. Even if no esoteric meaning attaches 
to the animal, it is not sui-prising that it should find a place among the 
animals represented on the coins, in a land where it makes known its 
presence in a highly vocal and jocund manner, at a season when nature 
is reviving from the enforced rest of the hot season and where the 
hopes and labours of the husbandman depend on the same conditions 
which elicit a gratulatoi*y chorus from the frogs. 
51. Two FISHES IN A TANK. Fig. 41. 
Fish are frequently represented on these coins and generally in 
pairs either side by side, or one behind the other. As they are fre- 
