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SALAMIS IN THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS.
BY ALEXANDER PALMA DI CESNOLÀ, F.S.A.,
page 64

several subjects, of the kind not unusually found in works of this class, and of much later date than I presume this one to be. On our left is the Crucifixion, with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Mary Magdalene weeping. The latter holds her vase, one of the alabastra so well represented by examples in this collection. A skull is at the foot of the cross; the feet of Christ are placed parallel to each other, after the most ancient fashion. Next to this is a smaller panel, showing the Saviour bearing His cross, and accompanied by two soldiers clad in mail, who pull Him along. They wear mail hoods. On the right are three panels, representing the baptism of Christ by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan, in which river appears a fish. Close by is a demon with a tail. The Dove and the Hand of the Lord are seen above. The next panel shows the Annunciation. Between the figures stands a tree, seemingly formed of twisted serpents, on which is perched an eagle or vulture, probably intended for the Evil One. On the ground are two birds like partridges. The Virgin holds her distaff or hank of flax in one hand. The next panel represents the angel seated on the tomb of Our Lord. Below it are carved the figures of the three Maries approaching the sepulchre, at the entrance to which two mail-clad warriors sleep. Below this group of panels is a long frieze, in the centre of which stands the Virgin, in the attitude of an ancient Orante. At her side stands an angel with a sceptre, in the act of calling attention to the Mother of Christ. On one side of this group is a palm; on the other side is an olive tree. The Apostles stand six on each side, with their respective attributes, some in the act of looking up at the Ascension of the Lord, as described above. This is a valuable specimen of Byzantine carving.

CHAPTER X.

ALABASTER ANTIQUITIES.

ALAMINIAN tombs and excavations yielded a very considerable number of antiquities formed of. alabaster, about two thousand specimens altogether having been recovered from beneath the soil where I dug. These include numerous forms and shapes, some unusual and unconventional; others, and, of course, the larger, being of types that are not uncommonly to be met with in museums of ancient remains. These alabaster antiquities are in most cases formed for the reception and preservation of precious unguents and perfumes. They are generally finely carved. Their date is difficult to be determined, for it ranges from a high antiquity to post-classical times. Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, and Roman influence is shown by these objects in their delicate contour. Some were more for show than use, and perhaps of purely sepulchral employment.They comprise alabastro, proper, i.e., small vases for containing scented unguents or liquids, which, being absorbed by the material, rendered back the odours thus imparted to them, and preserved the aroma for longer or shorter periods of time. The

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