This was the Phallus, of which we read in Lucian,[108] as existing in Syria of such extraordinary height, and which, not less than the Egyptian Pyramids, has heretofore puzzled antiquaries,--little dreaming that it was the counterpart of our Round Towers, and that both were the prototypes of the two “_Pillars_” which Hiram wrought before the temple of Solomon. Astarte was the divinity with whose worship it was thus associated, and by that being understood the moon,[109] it was natural to suppose that the study of the stars would essentially enter into the ceremonial of her worship. Another name by which this divinity was recognised, was Rimmon, which, signifying as it does _pomegranate_, was a very happy emblem of _fecundity_, as apples are known to be the most prolific species of fruit. Lingam is the name by which the Indians designated this idol.[110] Those who dedicate themselves to his service, swear to observe inviolable chastity. “They do not, however,” says Craufurd, “like the priests of Atys, deprive themselves of the means of breaking their vows; but were it discovered that they had in any way departed from them, the punishment is death. They go naked; but being considered as sanctified persons, the women approach them without scruple, nor is it thought that their modesty should be offended by it. Husbands whose wives are barren solicit them to come to their houses, or send their wives to worship Lingam at the temples; and it is supposed that _the ceremonies_ on this occasion, if performed with the proper zeal, are usually productive of the desired effect.”[111] Such was the origin and design of the most _ancient_ Indian pagodas, which had no earthly connection with fire or fire-worshippers, as generally imagined. And that such, also, was the use and origin of the Irish pagodas is manifest from the name by which they are critically and accurately designated, viz. _Budh_, which, in the Irish language, signifies not only the _Sun_, as the source of _generative vegetation_, but also as the _male organ of procreative generativeness_, consecrated, according to their foolish ideas, to Baal-_Phearagh_ or Deus-_coitionis_, by and by to be elucidated. This thoroughly explains the word “Cathoir-ghall,” or “temple of _delight_,” already mentioned as appropriated to one of those edifices, and is still further confirmed by the name of “Teaumpal na greine,” or “temple of the sun,” by which another of them is called; while the ornament that has been known to exist on the top of many of them represents the crescent of Sheevah, the matrimonial deity of the Indians, agreeably to what the Heetopades states, viz. “may he on whose diadem is a crescent cause prosperity to the people of the earth.”