216 
seems to be confirmed by the examination of the 
monuments themselves. Mr. Zoega, in order to 
prove^ that, in the hieroglyphical writing, the di- 
rection in which the figures of men and animals 
are turned, decides whether the hieroglyphic line 
ought to be read from the left to the right, or from 
the right to the left, makes use of certain series 
of signs, which are repeated in the same monu- 
ments, and which are sometimes found traced 
wholly in the same line, sometimes half in one 
line and half in another : for instance, in the Sal- 
lustian Obelisk* one of these series presents the 
figure of a dove, followed by those of a beetle 
and a knife, all in the same line. This series is 
repeated on the same column, but the hierogly- 
phics are distributed in two lines. In following 
the rule proposed by the learned antiquary, the 
figures are found in the same order, so that the 
beetle and the knife still follow the dove. 
This is what Mr. Zoega says in terms less 
clear'l". But if, in consequence of this remark, 
^ See in Mr. Zoega’s Work, de Origine et Usu Obelisco- 
rum, the plate entitled, Obeliscus Sallustianus L<at. septen- 
trionale. 
t Nam prceter quod hac ratione antecedens Jigura.sequenti 
dorsum ohvertere et earn post se relinquere agnoscitur, etiam 
in repetitis inscriptionihus, dum propter loci angustiam nota 
aliqua ex superior e spatio ad inferius sic removenda, hoc in ea 
fieri videmus quce ex ilia nostra sententia ultima erat superioris 
spatii. (Zoega loco citato.) 
