The list of the παγκαρπία, the offering of all fruits and natural products, is in some respects a primitive one: the unwashed wool reminds us of the simple offering made by Pausanias at the cave of Demeter at Phigalia; but there are late additions, the manufactured olive oil and wine. Demeter in early days would assuredly never have accepted wine. The _kernos_, like the offerings it contained, is comparatively late and complex. Vessels exactly corresponding to the description given by Athenaeus have been found in considerable numbers in the precinct at Eleusis, both vessels meant for use and others obviously votive. In the accounts[409] of the officials at Eleusis for the year 408-7 B.C. there is mention of a vessel called κέρχνος, which in all probability is identical with the _kernos_ of Athenaeus. The shape and purport of the vessel are clearly seen in the very perfect specimen[410] in fig. 16. Such a vessel might well be called a _separator_; each of the little _kotyliskoi_ attached would contain a sample of the various grains and products. It is easy to see how the scholiast might explain it as a _liknon_. The _liknon_ was an implement for winnowing, _separating_ grain from chaff, the _kernos_ a vessel in which various sorts of grain could be kept _separate_. The _Kernophoria_ was nothing but a late and elaborate form of the offering of first-fruits. In the simple primaeval form of the Mysteries as certified by the tokens, we have but two elements, the presentation and tasting of first-fruits and the handling of _sacra_. All later accretions will be discussed in the chapter on Orphic Mysteries. [Illustration: FIG. 16.] In discussing the Anthesteria (p. 42) mention has already been made of a rite which, according to Athenaeus[411], took place on the final day of the Mysteries. On this day, which took its name from the rite, two vessels called _plemochoae_ are emptied, one towards the east, the other towards the west, and at the moment of outpouring a mystic formulary was pronounced. Athenaeus explains that a _plemochoè_ was an earthenware vessel ‘shaped like a top but standing secure on its basis’: it seems to have been a vessel in general use for the service of the underworld, for he quotes a play called _Peirithous_ in which one of the characters said: ‘That these _plemochoai_ with well-omened words We may pour down into the chthonian chasm.’ What the mystic formulary was we cannot certainly say, but it is tempting to connect the libation of the _plemochoè_ with a formulary recorded by Proclus[412]. He says ‘In the Eleusinian mysteries, looking up to the sky they cried aloud “Rain,” and looking down to earth they cried “Be fruitful.”’ The simplicity of the solemn little prayer cannot be reproduced in English. It was a fitting close to rites so primitive. Last of all, over those who had been initiated were uttered, if we may trust Hesychius[413], the mysterious words Κὸγξ ὄμπαξ. * * * * *