Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 1): Zeus god of the bright sky (Cambridge, 1914)

528 Marriage of the Sun and Moon in Crete

in a plane-tree, but on the crown of a pollard willow. The long
serrated leaves (fig. 393), the small burgeoning catkins (fig. 396),
the well-marked hollow in the bole (figs. 391 ff.), above all the

Fig. 395- FiS- 396-

shock-head of slender shoots (fig. 394), which in some cases have
obviously been lopped (figs. 397, 398), all go to confirm this
identification1.

being nowhere mentioned by any classical author, {c) Well-preserved specimens of the
coin, e.g. Brit. Mus. Cat. Coins Crete etc. p. 38 pi. 9, 5 (my fig. 393), certainly show
serrated leaves; but serrated leaves need not be oak-leaves.

1 Since this paragraph was written, Mr E. J. Seltman informs me that he has always
regarded the tree as an ancient willow. In such a matter the opinion of an experienced
numismatist is worth more than that of a botanist. A botanical friend, whom I consulted,
declared that the tree most nearly resembled a tree-fern !