Devon Notes and Queries. 155 and that the hand, from its proportions and position, overrules both there can be no doubt — hence a cognation exists. The second point : it is obvious from the next conclusion that the full figure is designed for a female. The last is the chief, inasmuch as in the pregnancy of that figure, if confirmed, will be revealed the dominant factor. The pregnancy of the woman is too obvious to admit of uncertainty, and as a corollary we reach the cardinal principle of the device. Browne Willis's delineation was not influenced by history or tradition ; it lacks point and reference, and is neutralized by fact. Dr. Oliver's surpasses it in oddness. The preceding does suggest a methodic, if insignificant, circumstance; the present is meaningless. The British Museum description is an inaccurate surface reading. The definition in the Directory is a precipitate inference, and absurdly impossible. According to the key contributed to the local press, the right hand figure was probably designed for the Countess Isabella de Fortibus, and the half-figure for Saint Margaret, for the reason that the chapel was haply dedicated by the Countess to the Saint. The grounds, however, for identifying the Countess and Saint with the forms are in this connection inadequate, since no evidence exists to show that the con- secration was effected by her; nothing positive as to the foundation of this chapel is known ; moreover, the pregnancy and the hand which governs the figures are overlooked. It is obvious all interpretations which ignore the condition of the female must be disregarded. Therein we have incon- testably the essence of the device, whatever its intent may be. The material lineaments of the seal present — firstly, a beatifying human hand, incommensurate with and over- charging the remaining points ; secondly, subordinate to it, two uniformly proportioned figures, the right pregnant, the left erased at the waist ; the first importuning the second, who is rejoining ; finally, some fiower in bloom. This is all it dis- closes ; the device articulates no transparent story, but rather transmits some latent circumstance. What incident did the <iesigner purpose conveying? We will reconnoitre the area within which he had to resort. Postulating that the device sustains a reference to the Borough, this area is thus circum- scribed. Its archives would, we apprehend, be explored for some occurrence affecting the town, or the locality examined
