CYPRUS. 
33 
Others were formed oi plasma, onyx, bloodstone, 
topaz, Jasper, and even of quartz. Of all these, 
the most antient had the scarabcran form. Two 
very mteresting examples are here represented. 
Most an- 
tient form 
of til e Sig- 
7iets of 
Ci/prui. 
The first is of the most remote antiquity. It 
was found among the ruins where the idols 
recently alluded to were discovered. The sub- 
stance of it is an o7iyx, in a very advanced state 
of decomposition. The characters are evidently 
Phoenician, and correspond with those exhibited 
by inscriptions found upon the same spot, and 
published by Pococke \ The subject represented 
appears to be the dove. Avis Paphia, a very 
antient symbol of ^nw^, and oi Astarte'^. But 
whether the figure placed before the bird be a 
grain of the bearded wheat so common in Cyprus, 
or any other type connected with its antient 
(1) See PococAe'i Travels, vol.11, p. 213. 
(2) " Alba Paliestino sancta columba Syro." 
TibuUuS', lib. i. El. 8. ver. 18. 
