XLI. On the Lituus of the antient Romans; shewing that this name had a two-fold signification; being used to denote a sign of the highest Priesthood, and also an Augural Staff; but that the whole series of numismatic writers have considered it as applicable solely to the latter: together with some other observations, in illustration of a Jasper Intaglia Signet,

Abstract

There is a Symbol, which may be observed upon the medals of the Roman empire from the time of Julius Cæsar down to Gallienus, and perhaps later, resembling, as to its form, the tendril of a Vine. Its curvature is more or less convoluted in different instances; and the lower part of the stem is represented as if it had been stripped from the stock of some plant.