Page:The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland ( Volume 3).djvu/552

 having a long tail and cloven feet, and on the other the forequarters and head of a hare in full flight.

The lion may be heraldic or it may have a symbolic meaning. The hart is probably an allusion to the beginning of the xlii. psalm—"As the hart panteth after the water brooks." This verse is inscribed on a font of the eleventh century, at Potterne, Wilts, and the figure of a hart is of frequent occurrence on Celtic and Norman work, where, as is now generally

—Selkirk Parish Church. Stoup.

believed, it has a symbolic meaning. The ox and hare, being also animals referred to in Scripture, are probably to be considered in the same category. This example is from Peebles, and was given to Mr. Brown by a gentleman who believes it was found at some ruined building there. It measures about 13 inches across on top by 9-3/4 inches high, and the bowl is 4 inches deep.

—Selkirk Parish Church. Stoup.

Fig. 1496 shows two views of a stoup, which is square, with the angles cut off, converting it into an unequal-sided octagon. It is decorated in a very curious manner with signs and letters of which we can give no explanation. It was found built into an old house at Selkirk when it was