Meanwhile the priest, who now only wears a long chiton, with short sleeves, has taken off his himation, and, after folding it several times, is seen giving it to an attendant to hold. If, however, the action represented is merely that of folding, and is not yet completed, it is impossible to determine which is the giver and which the receiver. Nor would the difficulty be solved if this could be ascertained, as we do not know what ceremonies were performed when the peplos arrived. The surface of the cloth on the frieze is left quite plain; but, if it is the peplos, some indication of the embroidered design may have been given in colour. [Sidenote: 35.] We now reach the second group of deities, seated to the right of the central scene. The first figure is clearly that of Athenè. She sits in a position corresponding to that of Zeus, and the Goddess of Athens is thus put in the same rank as the supreme God. Athenè is dressed in a chiton with diploïdion and has short hair. An indistinct object about her left wrist has been supposed to be a snake from the fringe of the aegis of Athenè, or by some writers to be the snake of Hygieia. But the object seems merely to be a bracelet in the form of a snake, which is not uncommon, and there is therefore no indication of an aegis. Four rivet holes in a straight line show that Athenè held some attribute, probably a spear in her right hand. [Sidenote: 36.] Next to Athenè is an elderly bearded figure, who turns his head towards her. He has a knotted staff under his right arm, and leans upon it heavily. This figure is usually known as Hephaestos. It is supposed that his lameness may be indicated by the awkward pose of his right foot, and by the staff on which he leans. [Rightnote: VI.] [Sidenote: 37.] [Sidenote: 38.] This slab, containing figures Nos. 37-47, now in a very fragmentary condition, was complete when drawn by Carrey, in 1674. A bearded male figure (No. 37) with his left hand raised is probably Poseidon. The left hand, according to Flasch, once held a trident. The next figure (No. 38), beardless and youthful, and seated in an easy attitude, has of late years gone by the names of Apollo Patroös or Dionysos. The latter title seems best suited to the somewhat effeminate figure, more fully draped than any other of the Gods. A series of holes round the head shows the position of a bronze wreath, and one at the elbow shows that the left hand may have been supported by a thyrsos or sceptre. [Sidenote: 39.]