CONNECTED WITH THE WORSHIP UF THE DE.K MATKES. l^

ill tliat part of the kingdom, -whose name may possibly be inchcated by tlie letters of the inscription ; Colonia JEViti has been suii:gcste(l ; but besides that some of the letters would reniaiu unexplained, the name of Newcastle is Pons yElii, not Colonia iElia. It has been conjectured that the inscription might be read, " Matrum collcgii coicdituu}," (To the joint housekeeper of the college of the priestesses of the Deic Matres). There are, however, strong objections to such an interpretation ; there is not any authority for such a college, or such an office ; and " co " is never the abbreviation of collegium. The solution of the enigma must be left to some fortunate discovery of an explanatory inscription, or to the ingenuity of some happy (Edipus. All that appears to be satisfactorily made out is, that these objects are in some way connected with the worship of the Dea) Matres ; and it may be reasonably concluded that the other objects found with them were also used upon similar occasions. It has been already stated that the divinities were ap- proached with addresses to propitiate their influence in pro- ducing fruitful seasons, and of such influence the moon would be considered an appropriate symbol, as beneficial to the increase of corn, cattle, and all things living. " Incrementis frugum, et pecudum, omniumque animantium commoda est ; augmentis enim ejus, detrimentisque mira quadam provi- dentia) arte, omne quod gignitur, alitur et crescit." ^ The pre- valence of such opinions may have occasioned the introduction of lunuke into ornaments worn by votaries of the Dete jfatres. The moon, however, according to Aristotle, is only a lesser sun, and operates only, by a borrowed influence, in conducing to the generation and growth of all things. It would not be surprising to find the more potent luminary symbolised in the objects w^orn by the same votaries ; and therefore those persons may be correct wdio have supposed the wheel- like ornaments attached to these chains as emblems of the sun. If this object is more than a mere ornament, if it is a symbol also, it may perhaps be more reasonable to supjiose that it symbolises what it more resembles — a wheel. The moon Avas considered a fit emblem of the progress of pros- perity, because she was seen gradually to increase in magni- tude and glory. " Quod ilia sit mortalium corporum et author, et conclitrix ; adeo ut nonnulla corpora sub luminis 3 Clemens Roman, lib. 8.