This snake was of a very unusual bulk, and lay near a great water, call’d the _Lernean_-lake, by a large plane-tree, and the spring _Anymone_. Further ’tis said, in overcoming this animal (by which they mean the labour he bestow’d in accomplishing the work) he us’d the help of _Iolaus_ the waggoner. Such help must be highly useful to him, to bring the stones. But I observe from the name _Iolaus_ his waggoner and companion, and _Hylas_ another great friend of his, and _Iole_ his mistress, that the ancient druidical festival is couch’d under that name, call’d _Yule_, which I shall speak largely upon in its proper place. In the mean time (we are told) the snake was assisted against him, by a very great crab. This will appear strange, ’till we are directed to its meaning by this consideration. As the serpent means the _Dracontian_ temple, so the crab was a symbol like in figure and meaning to the _globus alatus_ or winged circle, which was the ancient picture of the _anima mundi_, or divine spirit. Thus does mythology, when rightly consider’d, help us in these ancient enquiries. We may say of the work as _Statius_ does of the temple of _Hercules Surrentinus_, ————_Deus obluctantia saxa Summovit nitens, & magno pectore montem Repulit._———— There are like vestiges of other _Dracontian_ temples founded by _Hercules_ in _Spain_, _Africa_, and elsewhere. “_Hercules_,” says bishop _Cumberland_, “was a very learned prince, bred or conversant in the _Phœnician_ universities, whereof _Debir_ was one, _Josh._ xv. 15. 49. call’d for its eminence, _Kirjath-sepher_, the _city of books_; and _Kirjath-sanna_, the _city of learning_.” The bishop thinks he retreated from _Egypt_ about the time of _Abraham_’s death. But, from what chronological evidence I gave before, it must be a good while before it. And I do not doubt but he with pleasure renew’d his acquaintance with his old friend _Abraham_, in the land of _Canaan_.