[75] Goguet, ii. pp. 370, 371, considers them as remains of the original hieroglyphics; but he is of opinion that we received them in their present form from the Arabians.
[76] Plinianæ Exercitat. in Solinum, p. 874.
[77] Gloss. ad Script. Med. et Infimæ Græcitatis.
[78] In his Annotations on Manilii Astronomicon (in usum Delphini). Par. 1679, 4to, p. 80.
[79] In his Annotations on Manilii Astron. Strasb. 1665, 4to, p. 460.
[80] In Gorii Thesaurus Gemmarum antiquarum astriferarum, Florent. 1750, 3 vols. fol., I found nothing on this subject. Characters of the moon and of the signs in the zodiac often occur; but no others are to be seen, except in tab. 33, where there is a ring, which has on it the present characters of Mars and Venus. In general the planets are represented by seven small asterisks, or by six and the character of the moon. Besides, the antiquity of this gem cannot be ascertained.
[81] See the collection of Greek letters of Eilh. Lubbinus. Commelin. 1601, 8vo.