102 
Dr. Iloernle —Antiquities from Central Asia. [Extra No. 1, 
of If. In fact, these two facts fit in equally well with both theories. 
The result accordingly would be 
formulas IV = V = II C = Ig ; 
I/=IIE or = II A ; 
lh=ll A or ^IE- 
Seventh Set. 
This Set comprises six books. The text contained in it consists of 
seven lines. The dimensions of its block cannot be given, as no traces 
of any enclosing lines are seen in any of the books. The dimensions of 
the text itself are about 3£ x 3f 
With regard to the question what is top and bottom, right and left, 
beginning and end of the formula, the following circumstances may 
be noted. In book No. 1, about one-half of the formula, divided 
horizontally, is occasionally found ; similarly in book No. IV, also about 
one-half of it, but divided vertically, is occasionally met with. The two 
halves that are thus found are invariably the same. On the assumption 
that, if only a portion of the formula could be accommodated, the 
printer would naturally choose to print its initial portion, it follows that 
the two halves, between them, accurately define the corner which 
contains the beginning of the formula. This is the upper left corner or 
the upper right corner, according as one has to read the lines of the 
formula in the European or the Chinese fashion. In the facsimile on 
Plate XIY, the formula is represented in the position conforming with 
the view here explained. The argument, however, is by no means, con¬ 
clusive, as it pre-supposes that the books were intended for intelligent 
reading, not merely for the mechanical turning of pages. 
Another point that may be worth noticing is that some of the letters 
of the formula of this Set and of that of the Fourth Set show consider¬ 
able similarity. 
No. I. Book. (Plate XIV, fig. 2.) 
Belongs to M. 9. Size, 17Jx6|". Number of forms, 20. Paper, 
variety Hid. Well preserved ; no burns ; but paper greasy, and print 
rather indistinct. Bound with three twists of paper. 
Text printed in one column on each page, running parallel to 
the longer side of the book, and containing, as a rule, four impressions 
of the formula. This arrangement allows a wide margin at the top and 
bottom of each page; accordingly on a few exceptional pages (about 
half a dozen) a half-impression is added to fill up the blank space. As 
this is always the same half-impression (viz., lines 1-3 or 1-4), it may 
possibly indicate the beginning of the formula; and I have so used it 
