226 W. Theobald — Notes on some of the symbols found on the [No. 3, 
left stands a pole or ‘ thyrsos ’ whose counterpart may be seen in every 
cantonment bazar or lines of a native regiment, in the form of a tall 
bamboo, the fillets on the Greek ‘ thyrsos ’ being replaced by a long 
streamer of cloth by way of ensign. 
56. Food receptacle for birds. Fig. 118. 
57. A LATER EXAMPLE OF THE SAME (oN THE COINS OP Kunanda) . Fig. 119. 
Of these symbols Mr. Thomas writes : “ I am unable to conjecture 
the intent or import of the singular emblem which appears below the 
‘ Swastika.’ An earlier form of the device occurs on the introductory 
weight currency, but this outline suggests no more intelligible solution 
of its real import than the more advanced linear configuration ” (See 
Note on some of the symbols on the coins of Kunanda, J. A. S. B., 
1886, Part 1, No. 3, page 167). 
These devices do not seem to me hard to interpret. The first or more 
archaic symbol of the punch-marked coins is probably intended for a 
‘ begging bowl ’ of a Buddhist monk, the two ears on one side, repre- 
senting the euds of the band, by which the bowl is partly supported 
round the neck of the mendicant friar, as he wanders round to collect 
the offerings of the pious. Symbols No. 3 are more accessories intro- 
duced here as in many other cases simply as such. The upright pole 
whereon the bowl or receptacle rests, is for the purpose of enabling 
birds to have access to the food without their lives being placed in 
jeopardy from cats or dogs, which would be the case were the food 
thrown down on the ground. Feeding animals of all sorts is a mei-i- 
torious act in a Buddhist, but some criminality would attach to one, 
who through inattention, was the cause of an animal losing its life, as 
for example, tempting a bird by the offer of food within reach of a cat 
or dog, and hence probably the invention of the device represented by 
these symbols. 
58. A BOW AND ARROW. Fig. 56, 
The bow was the national weapon of the Aryan colonist of India 
long before the British yeoman made his favourite arm feared and vic- 
torious on many a well-contested field in France or in Flodden’s fatal 
plain. In the Ramayan all the troubles which befell King Dasaratha 
and ended in the banishment of Eama were due to the unhappy ac- 
cident of the king killing with his ai’row the young ascetic in mistake 
in the forest for a wild animal, from which we learn that proficiency 
with the bow was a regal accomplishment in those days. Of the five 
