The earliest examples known date from the Fourth Dynasty, and are small and fine.

Sometimes Sixth Dynasty scarabs are of obsidian and crystal, and early Middle Kingdom scarabs of amethyst, emerald, and even garnet.

From the time of the Eighteenth Dynasty scarabs may be counted by millions, and the execution is more or less fine according to the hardness of the stone.

This holds good for amulets of all kinds.

The hippopotamus-heads, the hearts, the _Ba_ birds (p.