26 C Y P R U S. 
CHAP, were found, the inhabitants have also dug up 
^ - y > a number of stone coffins, of an oblong rect- 
angular form; each, with the exception of its 
cover, being of one entire mass of stone. One 
of them contained a small vase of terra cotta, 
of the rudest workmanship, destitute of any 
glazing or varnish'. Several intaglios were also 
discovered, and brought to us for sale. We 
found it more difficult to obtain antient gems in 
Larneca than in the interior of the island, 
owing to the exorbitant prices set upon them. 
At Nicotia, the goldsmiths part with such anti- 
quities for a few paras. The people of Larneca 
are more accustomed to intercourse with 
strangers, and expect to make a harvest in 
^,?^'^^ their coming. Among- the rina'-stones we left 
Kings. o o O 
in that town, v/as a beautiful intaglio repre- 
senting Cupid whipping a butterfly; a common 
method, among antient lapidaries, of typi- 
fying the power of love over the soul. Also an 
onyx, which there is every reason to believe 
one of the Ptolemies had used as a signet. It 
contained a very curious monogram, expressing 
all the letters of the word HTOAEMAIOY, 
according to the manner here represented : 
(l) It is now in the author's possession 
