tion of the word Petra. On this account many personages were
said to have undergone this change. Pollux, who was of a character superior
to what is generally imagined, was said to have been turned to a stone.

[1196][Greek: Eis lithon autoteleston emorphothe Poludeukes.]

Ariadne underwent the like [1197]change. Also Battus, Atlas, [1198]Alcmena,
and others. All these histories relate to personages, enshrined in temples
styled Petra, who had a [Greek: stulos] or rude pillar erected to their
honour. This was the usage in all parts, before the introduction of images.
There are allusions to these Ophite temples, and to these pillars, upon the
coins of Syria, and Tyre. Upon these the Deity is represented between two
rough stones, with two [1199]serpents on each side of him. A temple of this
sort, which betrayed great antiquity, stood in the vicinity of Thebes, and
was called the serpent's head. Pausanius speaks of it as remaining in his
[1200]time. The same author affords another instance in his account of
Achaia; which is attended with some remarkable circumstances. He tells us,
[1201]that at Pherae, a city of that region, was a fountain sacred to
Hermes; and the name of it was Hama. Near this fountain were thirty large
stones, which had been erected in antient times. Each of these was looked
upon as a representative of some Deity. And Pausanias remarks, that instead
of images, the Greeks in times of old universally paid their adoration to
rude unwrought [1202]stones.

That the Cadmians were the people, whom I suppose them, may I think be
proved from many other circumstances. There are some particulars in the
history of these emigrants, by which they may be as effectually
distinguished, as by any national mark of feature, or complexion. I have
taken notice in a former treatise of the Cuthites, who came from Babylonia
and settled in Egypt; and who were afterwards expelled the country. They
came under different titles; and were styled Phenicians, Arabians, and
Ethiopians; but they were more particularly distinguished by the name of
Oritae, and of shepherds. These appellations must be carefully kept in
remembrance, for they will be found to occur in almost every part of the
world, wherever any of this family settled. In the histories above given of
Osiris, Dionusus, and others, we find, that the sons of Chus are
represented as great travellers, and at the same time general benefactors:
and it is to be observed, that the sam