The earlier writers saw the Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux in the two figures, Nos. 23, 24. It is now generally agreed that the youthful elastic figure to the left is Hermes, of whom the high boots, and the petasos spread on his knees are specially characteristic. His right hand is pierced and has held a metallic object, probably the herald's staff, caduceus. The drapery is a small chlamys fastened by a brooch, but at present worn about the loins. The more robust figure leaning on his shoulder (No. 24), has his body turned in a direction contrary to that of Hermes, and the singular manner in which his lower limbs are so arranged as to clasp between them the knees of the seated goddess (No. 25) seems to indicate some intimate and special relation between them. The goddess holds a torch, the usual attribute of Demeter, and Michaelis sees in the group (Nos. 24-26) the triad of Dionysos, Demeter, and Triptolemos. Flasch recognises Apollo and Artemis in Nos. 24, 25, on the ground of their intimate relationship. If we adopt this interpretation of this group, it follows that the youthful figure (No. 26) cannot be Triptolemos. We must rather look for an Olympian deity in this figure, and the suggestion that it represents Ares, which has found favour with several interpreters of this frieze, seems liable only to one objection, that the form appears too slight and youthful. The somewhat negligent attitude is that of a person tired of sitting on a seat without a back, and clasping his knee with his hands, to relieve the spine of the weight of the head and shoulders. Flasch absurdly describes the attitude as that of a passionate character, forcibly restraining himself. [Rightnote: V.] [Sidenote: 27-29.] The bearded figure (No. 29) on the left of the central group is distinguished from the rest by the form, and ornaments of his chair, which has a back and a side rail which is supported by a Sphinx, while all the other figures are seated on stools. It has been generally admitted that this deity is Zeus. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that the goddess seated next to him (No. 28) is his consort, Hera. The type and action of this figure who raises her veil, and looks towards Zeus, are very suitable to her. The winged maidenly figure (No. 27) standing behind Hera must be either Nikè or Iris, and is probably Iris, whose station is close to Hera, while Nikè is usually more closely associated with Zeus (Murray, _Class. Rev._ iii., p. 285). The head of Iris which was discovered in 1889 in the excavations on the Acropolis is admirably perfect. The left hand raises a mass of the hair as if to coil it on the head (Plate vi., fig. 1).