342 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

colour, is undoubtedly the result of the ancient preference
which arose, when the relative superiority of purple to other
colours was greater than at present. We have seen this
colour frequently mentioned in connection with the works
of the Tabernacle and the dress of the high priest; and
among the heathen we know that the colour was considered
peculiarly appropriate to the service of the gods. The.
Babylonians and other nations used to array their gods in
robes of purple. It is said that when the beautiful purple
of Tyre was first discovered, the sovereign to whom it was
presented, appropriated it as a royal distinction. Homer
intimates that it was only worn by princes; and this limi-
tation of its use was common among other nations. A very
early notice of this occurs in Scripture, where the kings of
Midian, defeated by Gideon, are described as being clad in
purple raiment, Judges viii. It is important to understand
that the word purple in ancient writings does not denote
one particular colour. Pliny mentions the difference be-
tween some of the purples: one was faint, approaching our
scarlet ; another was a very deep red, approaching to violet ;
and a third was of a colour compared to that of coagulated
bullock’s blood. The most esteemed Tyrian purple seems
to have been of this last colour. This dye was obtained