These were imaged under various animal forms, serpents and scorpions being the favorite ones.

When possession was taken of the field, the spirits inhabiting it had to be propitiated.

The owner placed himself under their protection, and endeavored to insure his rights against wrongful encroachment by calling upon the demons to range themselves on his side.

It was customary, especially in the case of territory acquired by special grant of the monarch, or under extraordinary circumstances, to set up a so-called boundary stone,[213] on which the owner of the field detailed his right to possession, through purchase or gift, as the case may be.

This inscription closed with an appeal to various gods to strike with their curses any intruder upon the owner's rights.