The _hyrche_ is not very well known, either in regard to its shape or purpose, but appears to have had a narrow neck, and to have been used in conveying goods a long distance. Its narrow neck is a tolerably sure indication that it was not intended to be stationary. The _lagynos_ also appears to have had a very narrow neck, and to have been of considerable size, varying according to circumstances. [Illustration: Fig. 172.--Greek Rhyton.] The _askos_ (Fig. 170), literally a wineskin, which it resembled in shape, had an aperture and neck on one side, from which a handle passed over a hollow on the body to the other side. Both the _askos_ and _stamnos_ are frequently painted with red figures. [Illustration: Fig. 173.--Krater, with Volute Handles.] The _amphora_, already described in the form it commonly took, may be called a general receptacle, although usually employed for holding provisions and liquors. There were many different shapes, which varied according to the district where made, and the special purpose for which they were destined. The chief kinds are the Egyptian, Apulian, Tyrrhenian, Panathenaic, Bacchic (Fig. 186), and Nolan, the last mentioned being the most perfectly finished, and unexcelled in gracefulness of shape. They were decorated with either red or black paintings. The _kados_ is the first of the vessels for drawing liquids, of which class the _hydria_ (Fig. 188) is the best known. Its name implies its purpose as a water-pitcher. It had two small side handles, and one larger one, somewhat similar to that of the modern ewer. The _kalpis_ (Fig. 187) and krossos were modifications of the hydria. The _kothon_ (Fig. 171) is supposed to have been a drinking-cup. [Illustration: Fig. 174.--Krater.] The _rhyton_ (Fig. 172) belongs to the later style of drinking-cups, and its peculiarity is that it could not be set down except when empty. The base is modelled after the head of a dog, goat, deer, or other animal, and the neck or cup proper is either cylindrical or elongated and sloped. The _lekythos_ (Fig. 305) was an oil-jar of an elongated shape, neck in proportion, cup-like orifice, and one handle. It is decorated in all the styles of Grecian art, and is generally about one foot in height. It was sometimes made of metal or marble. [Illustration: Fig. 175.--Holmos.] The _alabastros_ was a diminutive lekythos, used for toilet unguents, with two small ears by which to suspend it. [Illustration: Fig. 176.--Kelebe.] The _krater_ (Figs. 173 and 174) was the vessel in which the Greeks cooled and mixed their wine, of which it would hold about three gallons. It is the later form of a class of vessels of which the _holmos_ (Fig. 175), _kelebe_ (Fig. 176), and _oxybaphon_ (Fig. 177) are the earlier representatives. [Illustration: Fig. 177.--Oxybaphon.] The _psykter_, or wine-cooler, was a double-walled vessel of the amphora type, rotund in shape.