Scarabs. By Percy E. Newberry. (A. Constable and Co. 18s.
net.)—The scarab, or beetle-shaped seal, is one of the commonest of Egyptian objects. There are multitudes of genuine specimens, ranging in date over a very long period—there are pre- dynastic seals in existence, though not of precisely this shape— and there is, of course, a busy manufactory of imitations. The seal, except as an ornament, has almost disappeared from every- day life, though it has left a sufficiently common survivor in the wafer which appears on transfers. Official life still knows it ; but we have to exercise the imagination to realise what a very important thing it was in antiquity. It served as a signature— the word itself indicates the change—and as a security. All this, and much more, is set forth by Mr. Newberry in this learned book, and made realisable by an abundance of illustra- tions. The study of the scarab and the signet-ring is an impor- tant branch of Egyptology.—Another important pro7ince of archaeology may be profitably studied in (Join Types: their Origin and Development, by George Macdonald, LL.D. (J. MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow, 10s. net). The coin is by many centuries, one might say millenniums, younger than the seal. Dr. Macdonald holds that the thing, probably first made in some region of Western Asia Minor, dates from about 700 B.C. This opens up a curious inquiry,—why was the invention so tardy ? The precious metals were very early used in exchange. The coin seems so small a remove from the weight that one wonders why it was BO long in coming. Dr. Macdonald thinks that the abundance of gold and silver on the spot suggested the idea. But every branch of the subject will be found full of interest, and Dr. Macdonald may be confidently recommended as a guide.
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