The pole started from the middle of the axle-tree, and, passing below the floor of the body in a horizontal direction, thence commonly curved upwards till it had risen to about half the height of the body, when it was again horizontal for awhile, once more curving upwards at the end.

It usually terminated in an ornament, which was sometimes the head of an animal--a bull, a horse, or a duck--sometimes a more elaborate and complicated work of art.

[PLATE XC., Fig.

3.] Now and then the pole continued level with the bottom of the body till it had reached its full projection, and then rose suddenly to the height of the top of the chariot.

It was often strengthened by one or more thin bars, probably of metal; which united it to the upper part of the chariot-front.
Chariots were drawn either by two or three, never by four, horses.