38 
Dr. Hoernle —Antiquities from Central Asia. [Extra No. 1, 
With regard to form, among the seals there are three made in the 
form of the ordinary signet-ring, to be worn on the finger. One of 
them is complete (PI. Ill, 27 and PI. XIX, 3); in the case of the other, 
two portions of the ring are missing. All three are of brass, and belong 
to M. 2. There are also five pieces, all of stone, which are cut in the 
form of a signet-ring, but their ring-portion is solid, with a hole drilled 
through it, in order to be worn on a string (Plate III, 62 and 
Plate XIX, 2). All these solid rings belong to G. 4, and probably came 
from Western Turkestan. The usual form of the seal, however, is a 
thin, flat plate, to the back of which is attached a small perforated peg 
for the passage of the string on which it is worn (Plate XIX, 4). All 
the seals of this kind are from the Takla Makan desert. They are 
also all of brass or copper, except one (PI. Ill, fig. 29) which is made of 
steatite. One seal, of bronze, is furnished with two flaps (PI. Ill, fig. 
22 and PI. XIX, 6). 
Among the intaglios, there are two with a high, conical back 
(Plate III, 63 and Plate XIX, 7). They are both of glass, and came 
from the Takla Makan desert. All the rest are flat pieces of stone or 
glass, of the usual form, with a rounded or planed back. 
Two of the objects (PI. Ill, 65 and 73 and PI. XIX, 8) appear to 
have merely served as ornaments, as they are provided with the remains 
of what seems to have been a nail. These are from the Takla Makan. 
One object (Plate III, 23 and Plate XIX, 5) seems to be one of a 
set of dice used in divination. This, also, comes from the Takla Makan 
desert. 
With reference to the matter engraved, it consists either of some 
writing, or some figure, mostly human or animal, or some ornamental 
design. Particulars, so far as definable, will be found in the following 
detailed description. The figures on the Plate are all full size. 
Plate III, No. 18. Round intaglio of black glass f 13 engraved with 
Arabic characters, apparently ‘ ajiyat Nadir or “ Success of Nadir.” 
From G. 4. 
No. 19. Oblong flat brass seal, with perforated peg ; face engraved 
with what looks like writing in Persian characters (.... ££*»). From M. 2. 
No. 20. Obverse and reverse of a square amulet, of ivory;* 13 
thickness yth of an inch, through which runs a fine string-hole ; both 
4> 3 For the identifications marked * and f 1 am indebted to the kindness of 
Mr. C. L. Griesbach, C.I.E., and Dr. Fritz von Notling respectively, of the Geological 
Survey of India. Mr. Griesbach informs me (19th January, 1899), that “ the stones 
might all have come from Badakshan or Bokhara. Lapis lazuli conies certainly 
from Badakshan, and spinel is found in Shignan and other places on the upper 
Oxus, also at Tagdallak east of Kabul,” 
