HELIOPOLIS. 151 
of this curious type was the sort of ley in use 
among the Antients, which generally appears 
fastened to a ring. Sometimes it is seen an- 
nexed to a rosary of beads, as in the remarkable 
instance where the same symbol appears upon a 
Phoenician medal* found at Citium in the Isle of 
Cyprus, of which an engraving was given in the 
preceding section'. This kind of key is not en- 
tirely banished from modern use ; and such 
instruments have been discovered in the ruins 
of antient cities. They are often seen in the 
hands of Egyptian statues. Two were repre- 
sented, as pendent from hooks, upon a hiero- 
glyphical tablet found near the Pyramids by Paul 
Lucas*. The archetype of this symbol may 
possibly therefore have been a key. It is not 
the less likely to answer to Jablonski's explana- 
tion of it on this account \ We have historical 
in the hands, or suspended over the necks, of their deities. Beetles, 
and such other sacred animals and symbols, as were bored through, 
and intended for, amulets, had this figure frequently impressed upon 
them." {See Sfiatv's Trav. p. 360. Lond. 1757.) The same author 
considers it to be the same with the ineffable image of Eternili/, 
noticed by Svidas. Vide Euseb. PraJ Etnn. p. 69. 
(2) It seems to have as mucli reference to Phanicia, as to Egypt. 
Upon a medal of Sidon, the cross appears carried hy Minerva in a boat. 
(3) See Vignette to Chapter II. Vol. IV. Octavo edition. 
f4) See the Engraving of this in the Second Volume of his Travels, 
as published at Amsterdam in 1744, tom. II. p. 130. 
(5) See Note in opposite page, containing an extract from Jahlonski, 
npou 
