In the description of the Altar one of the two chief personages holds in his hand an "instrument" or sceptre--but each of the lesser figures an "object"--which in the engraving is a _spiral shell_. These shells, also, illustrate the Nation of Tyrus, for the spiral shell is found upon nearly all the coins of that ancient country! It was placed on their coins in honour of the discovery of the secret of the celebrated colour, called by the ancients,--the Tyrian Dye. That renowned colour was not made from any earth or mineral, but from the purple murex,--or the dye _shellfish_. It was first discovered by a Tyrian on the shores of Tyrus,--who, wandering with his Dog, suddenly observed the mouth of his faithful companion to be empurpled,--and upon investigation, he found that it arose from the animal crushing between his teeth, _a small shellfish_, just then thrown upon the Tyrian beach by the waters of the Mediterranean. Improving upon the discovery, the Tyrians became so renowned for their dye used in regal and costly mantles, that in commemoration of the event, they placed upon their Coins the _shell_,--nor was the original discoverer forgotten, for upon a Tyrian Coin (Calmet, No. 16) the Dog is seen approaching the Shell! Some writers have questioned the manner of the discovery,--but the last-mentioned Coin confirms the historical account. The Shell was also adapted to personify the marine character of Tyrus,--and it being upon the Altar may be viewed as another emblem of that country,--which, with the Serpents and Eggs, cannot have been placed there by caprice or accident,--but rather with absolute intent, having reference to an historical design in the Sculpture. The figures are all seated "cross-legged in the _Oriental_ fashion." Their very position then substantiates Montezuma's assertion to Cortez, that his Ancestors many ages past, come from "_the East_." One of the chief personages to the "negotiation," as Mr. Stephens calls the group, has a "Sceptre" in his hand,--and there is none in the hand of the other King or Cadmus,--(as the ancient Phœnician Chiefs were called;)--this incident is another proof of the correct reading of the Act of Amity; for at the time of its performance, Tyrus had ceased to be a nation--but Sidon had not,--the former had lost all her powers of safety,--the latter retained them,--and could, and did extend them to her "Daughter," who is represented as presenting a Shell,--perhaps the Secret of the "Dye"--as a tributary offering to her Parent,--who appears on the Altar more elevated than the other Chief figure. This still further illustrates the fact of the single sceptre and its application.