But the spiral was developed, apparently under Usertesen I., into a chain of coils, which are drawn with great beauty and regularity. Such care indicates that the design was a novelty, which was not yet stereotyped and reproduced as a matter of course. In no later reign were spirals ever so beautifully and perfectly executed. This type was revived under Amenhotep II. (H. S. 1097). In about the XIIth dynasty it was combined with the lotus in perhaps the most perfect design that remains on any scarab—a continuous coil with flowers and buds in the spaces. [Illustration: 18.—Turin.] [Illustration: 19.—F.P.] But it was felt that the spirals all round occupied too much of the field, so the top and bottom were left free for inscribing, and the ornament was limited to the sides, as in this chain of hook pattern of Usertesen I. This design, with the line continued around the top as well as the base, was the staple decoration of the private scarabs of the XIIth-XIIIth dynasties, many of which are of great beauty. Both types are found, but the hook pattern is more usual than the coils. [Illustration: Fig. 20. F.P. coll. Fig. 21.] [Illustration: Fig. 22. F.P. coll. Fig. 23.] In the finest work, however, the line is made endless, a single continuous line forming the whole pattern, as in the endless hook pattern of Setmes, and the endless coil pattern of Ptaherduen. [Illustration: 24.—Paris.] [Illustration: 25.—F.P.] In the few spiral scarabs of later times the pattern is not only placed at the sides, but is carried all round, as we see in that of Amenhotep I. and one of Ramessu II., which latter is the latest spiral pattern known on scarabs. [Illustration: 26.—F.P. coll.] The long links were seldom used in continuous patterns around scarabs, as in this, but were more usually employed for independent spiral patterns without any inscriptions. [Illustration: 27.—F.P. coll.] [Illustration: 28.—K. x. 50.] [Illustration: 29.—I. viii. 69.] [Illustration: 30.—K. x. 28.] [Illustration: 31.—K. x. 40.] After serving as adjuncts to inscriptions, the spirals became elaborated as sole patterns. These are at first a few simple coils, as on one which, from the side pattern, can be dated to about the VIIIth dynasty. These, when elaborated with more coils or links, sometimes developed to great length. [Illustration: 32.—K. x. 17.] [Illustration: 33.—F.P.] [Illustration: 34.—I. x. 176.] Such patterns required but little ingenuity, and it is rather in the design of continuous spirals that the Egyptian showed his skill. The problem was how to arrange a number of coils in a symmetrical system uniformly covering the surface of the scarab, and yet to connect them in a true series. This was done in various ways, usually by introducing long loop lines around the edge. One of the simplest type is— In another a cross pattern is formed which is entirely of C coils, like frequent patterns at Mykenae. [Illustration: 35.—F.P.] [Illustration: 36.—F.P.]