L.

Labarum,Chrism, R. The standard of the Roman emperors from the time of Constantine; in form it resembled thevexillumof the cavalry. The Labarum is the banner of the Chrism, or sign that appeared to Constantine, viz. the Greek letters XP in a monogram (the two first letters of the NameΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ); sometimes followed by the Roman letters IHSV, or the motto in full, “in hoc signo vinces.” It is, under several variations, a common ecclesiastical emblem.

Labellum.Dimin. ofLabrum(q.v.).

Heraldic Labels.Fig. 411. Labels of 3 points. Label of 5 points.

Labels, in heraldry, are marks ofcadency. (1) A band crossing the shield, with three points depending, marks the coat of an eldest son. (2) Broad ribands hanging from a knight’s helmet. (3) In mediæval architecture and church decoration, images of saints and angels bearlabelsinscribed with texts and mottoes.

Labis.(SeeSpoon.)

Labrum, R. (lit. a lip). A general term to denote any kind of vessel the brim of which turned over on the outside like the lip of the human mouth; a wide flat basin which stood in the thermal chamber orCaldarium(q.v.) of the Roman baths.

Fig. 412. Labyrinth.

Labyrinth, Gen. (λαβύρινθος). A building of considerable size, usually underground, containing streets and cross-roads, like the catacombs, &c. The term is also applied to intricate designs executed on the grass-plots of gardens, and on the mosaic or glazed tiles in pavements. (Fig.412.) (SeeMinotaur.)

LacorGum Lac(Arabic,lakah). A resin produced on an East Indian tree by the punctures of theCoccus laccainsect. It forms a brittle substance of a dark red colour, and when in grains is calledseed lac, and in thin flat platesshell-lac. (SeeLacquer.) The chief use oflacin Europe is for making sealing-wax, and as a basis forspirit varnishesandFrench polish.

Fig. 413. Point de France (pillow-made), 17th century.

Lacewas originally of a heavy texture, more like embroidery. It was of two kinds,lacis, or “darned netting,” and “cutwork.”Lacis, often worked in coloured silks and gold thread, was also called “opus araneum” or “spider-work.” In “cutwork,” a net of threads was laid on to cloth, and the cloth sewn to it in parts, and the other parts cut away; or, by another method, the threads were arranged on a frame, all radiating from a common centre, and then worked into patterns. This was the old convent lace of Italy, called “Greek lace.”Point lacesare lace made with a needle on a parchment pattern. The principal are the ancient laces of Italy, Spain, and Portugal; and the modernpoint d’Alençonof France.Pillow lacesare made by the weaving, twisting, and plaiting of the threads with bobbins on acushion; such are Mechlin, Lille, Valenciennes, Honiton, Buckingham, and many manufactories in France.Brussels laceis bothpointandpillow. The thread is scarcely visible for fineness, and costs 240l.per pound. This lace is called in Francepoint d’Angleterre, orEnglish point. (Fig.414.)

Fig. 414. Old Brussels or Point d’Angleterre.

Lace Glass.(SeeGlass.)

Lacerna, R. An open cloak worn by the Romans over thetoga, and fastened on the right shoulder with a brooch or fibula. It frequently had a cowl attached. (SeeAbolla,Pænula,Pallium.)

Lachrymatory.A tear-bottle; so called from the use attributed to it of holding tears consecrated to the dead. These phials are made of glass or earthenware, with a long neck, and the mouth formed to receive the eye-ball. The figure of one or two eyes has sometimes been found impressed upon them.

Lacinia, R. The two excrescences, like a divided dewlap on the throat of a goat, which were represented on the necks of fauns and satyrs.

Laciniæ, Gr. and R. The hanging corners of thetogaandchlamys, and the metal knobs attached to make them hang straight.

Lacis.A kind of embroidery, of subjects in squares, with counted stitches (called also “point conté,” darned netting, &c.). (SeeLace.)

Laconicum, R. A semicircular termination to a room in a set of baths (caldarium), so called because of Spartan origin. Under the wordBalneæwill be found thelaconicumof Pompeii, restored. (Fig.56.)

Lacquer(Fr.laque) is made of a solution of shell-lac and alcohol, coloured with saffron or other colouring matters. Specimens of ancient Chinese red lacquer deeply carved with figures of birds, flowers, &c., and generally made in the form of trays, boxes, and sometimes vases, are met with in the more northern Chinese towns, and are much prized. What is called theold gold Japan lacqueris also esteemed by Chinese connoisseurs, and the specimens of this are comparatively rare at the present day. (Fortune.)

Lacs d’amour, Fr. True lovers’ knots.

Lacuna, R. (lacus, a hollow). An ash-pit placed beneath a lime-kiln to receive the ashes from the kiln.

Lacunar, Arch. A flat roof or ceiling, in contradistinction to acamera, vaulted roof.

Lacunaria, Arch. Panels in a flat ceiling (lacunar), formed by the rafters crossing one another at right angles. The edges of these panels are often decorated with carved and gilt ornaments, and the centres filled in with paintings.

Lacus, R. (λάκκος). A lake, and thence a large, shallow, open basin, or artificial reservoir; also, a pit made below the level of a wine-cellar (cella vinaria), or of an oil-cellar (cella olearis), to receive the wine or oil as it comes from the presses.

Lady.A word of Saxon origin, generally supposed to signify “loaf-giver,” fromklaf, a loaf. As a title it belongs to the daughters of all peers above the rank of a viscount, but is extended by courtesy to the wives of knights.

Lady Day, Chr. The 25th of March. Festival of the Annunciation.

Læna, R. (1) A cloth with a long nap. (2) A thick woollen cloak worn over the toga for the sake of warmth. In later times the læna was often worn as a substitute for the toga.

Lagena, Gr. and R. An earthenware vessel with a swelling body, used for holding wine or vegetables and dried fruits.

Laid Papers.Papers with a ribbed surface; as cream-laid, blue-laid, &c.

Lake, Cloth of, O. E. Linen for under-garments.

Lakes.(SeeCarmine.) Pigments of a fine crimson red colour, of which there are several kinds; they are prepared from cochineal, kermes, lac, and the best from madder-root. Common lake is obtained from Brazil wood, which affords a very fugitive colour. (SeeYellow Lake,Purple Lakes,Green Lakes,Carminated Lakes,Drop Lake,Red Lake,Mineral Lake,Madder, &c.)

LakesofFlorence,Paris,Vienna, &c. (SeeCarminated Lakes.)

Lamb.The peculiar symbol of the Redeemer, generally the emblem of innocence, meekness, modesty. It is properly called the Paschal Lamb, and with a flag, or between two stars and a crescent, was the badge of the Knights Templars. (SeeAgnus Dei.)

Lamboys(Fr.lambeau). A kind of skirt over the thighs, worn over the armour. (See Fig.463.)

Lambrequin.A covering for the helmet. (SeeMantling.)

Lamb’s-wool, O. E. A drink of ale with the pulp of roasted apples in it.

Lames, Fr. Flexible plates orbladesof steel, worn over the hips.

Lametta.Brass, silver, or gold foil or wire.

Lamiæ, Gr. and R. Vampires who fed at night on the flesh of human beings. The Lamiæ of Pliny are animals with the face and head of a woman, and the tail of a serpent, inhabiting the deserts of Africa.

Laminated.Disposed in layers or plates.

Lammas, O. E. The 1st of August.

Fig. 415. Roman Lamp.

Lamp,Lantern, orTaper, in Christian art, was an emblem of piety; an attribute of St. Lucia. (SeeLucerna,Lychnus,Lantern.)

Lampadephoria, Gr. (torch-bearing). A game common throughout Greece, in which the competitors raced, either on foot or horseback, six stadia (about three-quarters of a mile), carrying lamps prepared for the purpose. (SeeLampas.)

Lampas, Gr. and R. A general term denoting anything which shines or affords light; a torch, a lamp, and especially a link. The word was frequently used forlampadephoria, thetorch-race.

Lamp-black.A soot used as a pigment. It is very opaque, and dries slowly in oil. It is also the basis of all printing and lithographic inks.

Fig. 416. Device of Catherine de’ Medicis.

Lance.In Christian art, the attribute of St. Matthias, in allusion to the method of his martyrdom. (SeeAmentum,Lancea,Hasta.) A shivered lance with the motto “Lacrymæ hinc, hinc dolor,” was a device adopted by Catherine de’ Medicis after the fatal accident to her husband, Henry II., in a tournament. (Fig.416.)

Lance-rest.A projecting iron fixed to a breastplate to support the end of the lance in a joust or tournament.

Lancea, R. A long, light spear, serving both as a pike and a missile.

Lanceola.Dimin. ofLancea(q.v.).

Lanceolated, Arch. Having the form of a spear-head. The term is applied to lancet windows, arches, and members of architecture forming a rose.

Fig. 417. Lancet Arch. 13th century.

Lancet Arch.A pointed arch, obtuse at the point, resembling a surgeon’s lancet, from which a style of architecture, common in England in the 13th century, is named. (Fig.417.) (SeeEarly English Architecture.)

Fig. 418. Lancula.

Lancula, R. (dimin. ofLanx). The scale which was placed, when necessary, at one of the ends of a Roman steelyard (statera). (Fig.418.)

Landgrave(Germ.Land, Graf). A title given to those Counts of Germany who take their rank from a large tract of land. The firstLandgraveswere those of Thuringia, Hesse, Alsace, and Leuchtenberg.

Langue-de-bœuf, Fr. A blade fixed to a pikestaff; named after its shape.

Langued, Her. To denote the tincture of an animal’s tongue.

Laniarium,Laniena, R. (lanius, a butcher). A slaughter-house or butcher’s shop.

Laniers, O. E. Leather straps for various uses; as armlets to a shield, or as garters or bands, &c.

Lanipendia, R. (lana, wool, andpendere, to weigh). A woman whose duty it was to weigh the wool for spinning, and distribute it among the slaves for their daily tasks.

Lanista, R. A man who trained gladiators for the Roman circus. They were frequently his own property, and he let them out for hire; or he received them from their owners into hisschool(ludus) for training.

Lansquenet, Fr. A game at cards.

Fig. 419. Old English Horn Lantern.

Lantern.In Christian art, the attribute of St. Gudula, in allusion to the legend of her miraculous lantern, which her prayers rekindled as often as Satan extinguished it. In Architecture, a small turret above the roof of a building, having windows all round it.

Fig. 420. Lanterne des Morts.

Lanterne des MortsorChurchyard Beacon, Arch. A small tower raised upon a base, and generally round, but sometimes square or polygonal; with windows at the top to emit the shining rays from the lamp inside. Fig.420represents a “lanterne des morts” at Ciron, France.

Lanx, R. This term denotes (1) a circular dish of silver or other metal, often embossed, used especially at banquets. (2) The scale of a balance (libra). (3) A salver for handing fruits or other dainties at dessert.

Laocoon.A magnificent sculpture, found in 1506 among the ruins of the palace of Titus, now in the Vatican. It represents Laocoon and his two sons struggling in the folds of two monster serpents. According to Pliny it is the work of three Rhodian sculptors, Agesander, Polydorus, and Athenodorus, and stood in the palace of Titus. He said that it was made of one stone, but the joining of five pieces has been detected. [SeeLessing’s“Laokoon.”]

Laphria, Gr. An annual festival, celebrated at Patræ in Achaia, in honour of Artemis, surnamed Laphria.

Lapidary.An artist who cuts, grinds, and polishes gems and stones. In the lapidary’sscale of hardnessof minerals there are 10 standard degrees, represented as follows:—No. 1,talc, which is very easily cut; No. 2,compact gypsum; No. 3,calc-spar; No. 4,fluor-spar; No. 5,apatite; No. 6,felspar; No. 7,quartz; No. 8,topaz; No. 9,sapphire; No. 10,diamond. Diamonds are for the most part cut at Amsterdam.

Lapis Lazuli.A beautiful blue mineral stone of various shades of colour. (SeeUltramarine.)

Laquear,Laqueare. Synonym ofLacunar(q.v.).

Laqueatores, R. An order of gladiators who used a noose to catch their adversaries.

Laqueatus, R. A ceiling decorated with panels (lacunar).

Lararium, R. A small shrine consecrated to the gods called Lares; a room in which the images of the Lares or tutelary genii of the house were placed. It is said to have been customary for religious Romans, immediately after they rose in the morning, to pray in the Lararium.

Larentalia,Larentinalia, orLaurentalia, R. A Roman festival in honour of Acca Larentia, the nurse of Romulus and Remus; or, according to another tradition, a festival instituted by Ancus in honour of a wealthy courtezan named Larentia, who had bequeathed all her property to the Roman people. It was celebrated on the 10th of December.

Lares, R. The Lares Privati, Domestici, or Familiares, were the guardian deities of the house. The spot peculiarly sacred to them was thefocus, or hearth, in the Atrium, where the altar for domestic sacrifice stood, and near it was a niche, containing little images of these gods, to whom offerings of flowers, frankincense, and wine were made from time to time, and regularly on the kalends of each month. There were many classes of Lares Publici: (1) The Lares rurales, who presided over the flocks, herds, &c. (2) The Lares compitales, worshipped where two cross-roads met, &c. [Cf. Ovid, Fasti, v. 129.]

Larghetto, It. In Music, less slow thanlargo.

Largo, It. In Music, a slow movement, one degree quicker thanadagio.

Latch, O. E. A cross-bow.

Lateen Sail.A triangular mainsail on a tall sloping yard, which reaches down to the deck.

Later, R. A brick; theπλίνθοςof the Greeks. Among the Romans bricks were of various forms; the largest was calledpentadorum; the next size,tetradorum.Later coctus,coctiliswas the term applied to a baked brick;later cruduswas an unbaked brick, i. e. one dried in the sun. Pliny calls the brick-fieldLateraria.

Latericium(opus), R. A structure built of bricks.

Laterna,Lanterna. ALantern(q.v.).

LatonorLatten, O. E. An alloy of brass, of which candlesticks, sepulchral monuments, crosses, &c., were made in the Middle Ages. White Laton was a mixture of brass and tin.

Latrunculi, R. (Gr.πεσσοί). The ancient game of draughts. It is mentioned by Homer. The Romans often had twelve lines of squares (mandræ) on the draught-board. The number of pieces varied from five to twelve, and in later times the game was played with thetesseræor dice.

Lattice, Arch. A trellis or cross-barred work; a network window.

Laura, Chr. The origin of the name is obscure. It signifies a collection of separate cells in a wilderness, where a community of monks lived each in his own cell, meeting together only during two days of the week. The most celebratedlauraswere in Palestine.

Laurel, Gen. The emblem of glory and victory. Sacred also to Apollo. In modern times an emblem of peace.

Lautumiæ, R. (λα-τομία). A stone-quarry, and thence a prison hewn out of a quarry, more particularly the public prison of Syracuse, hewn into the solid cliff, but roofless. The Tullianum at Rome was called Lautumiæ also.

Lava.The scoria from an active volcano, which is well adapted to ornamental carving.

Lavabo.(SeeLavatorium.)

Lavacrum, R. (lavo, to wash). A bath of hot or cold water, in contradistinction to a vapour bath (caldarium).

Lavatorium, R. (lavo, to wash). A small building in a monastery, in which the monks washed their hands before and after a repast. Thelavatoriumwas usually placed near the refectory.

Lawn.This fine linen fabric was introduced in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Lay Figure.A large wooden jointed doll, used by artists to display drapery.

Lead-glazed Wares.(SeePottery.)

Fig. 421. Stamped gilt and painted leather hangings illustrating a pictorial arrangement of pattern.

Leatherwas used instead of tapestry for the hangings of rooms in the 16th century, and was beautifully gilded and chased. (Consult “L’Art de travailler les Cuirs dorés ou argentés,” by M. Fougeroux de Bondary, in “Description des Arts et Metiers,” 1762.) (Fig.421.)

Leaves, Her. Their peculiarities are blazoned as laurel leaf, oak leaf, &c.

Leaves,Leafage. (SeeFoliage.)

Lebes, Gr. (λέβης;λείβη, to pour out). A brass saucepan or caldron (pelvis,ahenum); it was a deep vessel with swelling sides. It was sometimes made with a pointed bottom to fit into a stand, which was calledIncitega.

Lebiton,Lebitonarium. (SeeColobium.)

Lecanê, Gr. A drinking-bowl used by the Etrurians (basin-shaped, with a lid).

Lectern.A reading-desk in a Christian church; most frequently of brass in the form of an eagle, but often decorated with more elaborate emblems.

Lectica, R. (lectus, a couch). A couch or litter carried by bearers, used both by men and women; it was introduced from the East, and was quickly adopted in Greece and Rome. The Greek litter had a roof made of the skin of an ox, and the sides covered with curtains. Among the Romans it was seldom used excepting for travelling, until the luxurious days of the empire, when the lectica became a very splendid affair. It was sometimes constructed with gold and ivory, and instead of curtains it was closed at the sides, with windows of transparent stone (lapis specularis). When standing, it rested on four feet. It was borne upon poles (asseres) by two or more slaves, and was called hexophron, octophron, &c., according to the number oflecticariiemployed to carry it.

Lecticula.Dimin. oflectica; it denoted a litter for the conveyance of the sick, or a bier on which a dead body was carried out.

Lectisternium, R. (lectus, andsterno, to spread out). A religious ceremony consisting of a banquet offered to the gods, at which the statues of the latter were present stretched out on couches, with tables and viands before them as if they were partaking of the feast.

Lectorium, Chr. (lector, a reader). An old term afterwards replaced by that ofAmbo(q.v.).

Lectrin, Chr. An old term now replaced byjubéor rood-loft and desk.

Lectrum, Chr. An old term denoting a praying-desk.

Lectus, R. (lego, to put together). A bed or couch complete;lectus cubicularis, a sleeping-couch;lectus genialis, a nuptial bed;lectus adversus, a symbolical marriage-bed;lectus triclinaris, a dining-couch, a couch for three persons, placed in thetricliniumor dining-room;lectus funebris, a funeral bier. The diminutive of this term islectulus. Thelectus cubicularisresembled an old-fashioned sofa with a high back; being of considerable height, it was reached by means of a footstool (scamnum), or a set of steps (gradus). Thelectus genialis(Gr.εὐνὴ) or marriage-bed was still higher, larger, and handsomely decorated; it is represented with a flight of steps at the foot. Thelectus adversuswas a symbolical marriage-bed, and stood in the atrium, opposite to the entrance of the house, and was, as it were, the throne or seat of office, from which the housewife superintended the spinning, weaving, and similar duties of the servants. Thelectus triclinarisused at meals is described under the article.Lectus funebrisis the name of the bier upon which the dead were borne to burial or the pyre.

Fig. 422. Lecythus.

Lecythus, Gr. A cylindrical vase made to contain oil or perfumes. It often figures in the hands of goddesses, or of females at the toilet; and is mostly ornamented with delicate paintings and choice subjects. (Fig.422.)

Ledger, Arch. A stone slab.

Ledger Lines.In Music, extra lines above or below the five ruled lines.

Ledgment, Arch. A horizontal course of stone or mouldings, particularly the base moulding.

Leet, O. E. An ancient Anglo-Saxon court of justice; a manor court.

Legato, It. Literally, “bound;” in Music signifies “in a smooth and gliding manner.”

Legend.In Numismatics, the words round theedgeof a medal or coin.

Leghorn.A kind of straw plait, first invented at Leghorn.

Legio, R. (lego, to collect). A Roman legion; a division of the army consisting of from three to six thousand heavy-armed soldiers, who were calledlegionarii. Twelve thousand legionaries were required to make up a consular army. The legion contained troops of all arms; infantry, cavalry, and the ancient substitutes for artillery; and was an army complete in itself. The numbers varied, as well as the organization, at different periods. Livy speaks of legions of 5000 infantry and 300 horse. The subject is one demanding voluminous description. The legion was subdivided into Cohortes, Manipuli, Centuriæ, Signa, Ordines, Contubernia.

Leice, Celt. Also calledmeanal leice. The stone of destiny; a large crystal kept by the Druids for soothsaying.

LeisterorLister, Scotch. A trident or many-pronged spear for striking fish.

Leming Star, O. E. (from A.S.leme, brightness). A comet.

Lemman(A.S.leof=loved, andman). A sweetheart, &c.

Lemnian Reddle.Anochreof a deep red colour and firm consistence, used as a pigment.

Lemniscus, R. (λημνίσκος;λῆνος, wool). A fillet or ribbon awarded, as a mark of honour, to a person who had distinguished himself in any way. The person who wore it was calledlemniscatus. It hung down from crowns or diadems at the back of the head.Lemnisciwere also worn, withoutcoronæ, by ladies for ornament. Hence, in Geometry, a curve of the form of the figure 8 is calledlemniscata.

Lemon Yellow.A bright pigment, brighter and clearer than Naples yellow or masticot, and not liable to change.

LemuresorManes, R. The souls of the dead, who, according to the religious belief of the Romans, were transformed into beneficent or evil genii, according as the individual had been during his life good or bad, virtuous or worthless. “Laressi meriti boni sint;LemuressiveLarvassi mali;Manesautem cum incertum est,” says St. Augustine.

Lemuria.Festivals in honour of the Lemures celebrated at Rome, at night and in silence, on the 9th, 11th, and 13th of May. During them the temples of the gods were closed, and marriage was considered unlucky; hence the proverb,Mense Maio male nubent. Those who celebrated the Lemuria walked barefooted, washed their hands three times, and threw black beans nine times behind their backs. On the second of the three days there were games in the circus in honour of Mars, and on the third day the images of the thirty Argei, made of rushes, were thrown from the Pons Sublicius into the Tiber by the Vestal virgins. On the same day there was a festival of merchants.

LennorLinn, Celt. A woollen wrap with a long nap, or simply the skin of some animal, worn in severe weather as a kind of upper garment by the poorer class of Gauls.

Lens(lit. a lentil). A convex or concave glass, which, by changing the direction of rays of light, magnifies or diminishes objects.

Lent(A.S.lencten, Spring), Chr. The forty days’ fast preparatory to Easter. Pope Gregory the Great speaks of this fast as of thirty-six days’ duration; i. e. six weeks, not counting the Sundays, which, it is suggested, amounts to one-tenth, or atitheof the year.

Lent RoseorLent Lily, O. E. The daffodil.

Lentiform.Shaped like a double convex lens.

Lentiner, O. E. A hawk taken in Lent.

L’Envoy.“The conclusion of a ballet, or sonnet, in a short stanzo by itselfe, and serving oftentimes as a dedication of the whole.” (Cotgrave.)

Leonine Verses.Rhyming Latin compositions, very popular in the Middle Ages. In the 3rd century a piece of 1200 such verses was written by Commodianus. St. Augustine and the venerable Bede also wrote some. The properleonineconsists of a couplet rhyming at the end; but the rhymes may be otherwise distributed: e. g.—

“O miseratrix! O dominatrix! præcipe dictu;Ne devastemur, ne lapidemur, grandinis ictu.”

“O miseratrix! O dominatrix! præcipe dictu;

Ne devastemur, ne lapidemur, grandinis ictu.”

Leontarium, Chr. A fountain of lions spouting water; frequently placed in the courtyard or atrium of basilican churches.

Leopard, Her. A lion in any other attitude than “rampant” was blazoned by the early heralds as a “leopard.” Till the 14th century the lions of the Royal Shield of England were designated leopards.

Leou, Chinese. (1) A building of many stories, like a pagoda. (2) An upper floor in a Chinese house.

Lepastê, R. (λεπὰς, a limpet; Lat.patella). A large vessel, in form like thecylix, but resting on a broad stand; employed from the earliest times for holding pure wine.

Leporarium, R. (lepus, a hare). A hare warren; a walled paddock in which four-footed game were preserved.

Fig. 423. The Leschê at Delphi.

Leschê, Gr. (λέσχη, i. e. a place for talking). A public place of assembly and conversation, or a small exchange for transacting business, &c. The leschê of Delphi (Fig.423) was celebrated for the painting which it contained by Polygnotus (470B.C.). At Athens there were 360 leschai, small buildings or porticoes furnished with seats and exposed to the sun, where the poor could rest in warmth and shelter.

Lesina, It. An awl. The device of the Lesina Academy, with the motto, “L’assotigliar la più, meglio anche fora.”

Lettern, Arch. TheLecternof a church is often so called, when made ofLattenor brass. The word is used instead ofLatten.

Letters of the Alphabetare sometimes used as charges in heraldry. The practice of weaving letters into the ornamentation of textile fabrics is very ancient in the East. Pliny says, “Parthiliterasvestibus intexunt.” Fanciful designs imitating or copying oriental letters without meaning were worked in church textiles in early Christian times; and the artists of Italy up to the middle of the 16th century represented such devices on the hems of the garments of great personages in their paintings.

Leucite(λευκὸς, white).White spar, orwhite garnet; a white stony substance found among volcanic productions.

Leucomb, O. E. A dormer window.

Leucopyrite.A mineral used in the production of artificialorpiment.

Levacion, O. E. The elevation of the host in the mass.

Levant.The Eastern shores of the Mediterranean.

Levecel, O. E. A pent-house or projecting roof over a door or an open shed.

Levesele, O. E. A lattice. The original of thechequerson the door-posts of inns.

Levitonarium.(SeeColobium.)

Lew, O. E. (modernlea). Sheltered from the wind; henceLewe Water(modernluke-warm water).

Lewins, O. E. A kind of bands put about a hawk.

Libbard, O. E. A leopard.

Libella, R. (libra, a level or balance). (1) A level, or instrument employed by masons, joiners, and carpenters, in the same way as with us, for testing the evenness of the surface of their work. (2) A small Roman silver coin, afterwards substituted by theAs, which it equalled in value.

LibellusorLibellulus, R. A small book, pamphlet, letter, or notice.

Liber(literally, therindof the papyrus; Gr.βιβλίον, from the Egyptian wordbyblos, the papyrus plant). A book.—Parchment (membrana) was invented by Eumenes, king of Pergamos; hence its name ofpergamentum. The paper (charta) or parchment was only written upon on one side; the other side was stained yellow. Writings were frequently washed off, and the parchment used again was calledpalimpsestus. The sheets forming a book were joined together and rolled round a staff, and then called avolume(volumen). The stick was usually ornamented with balls or bosses, ornamented or painted, calledumbilici. The ends of the roll, carefully cut, polished with pumice-stone, and coloured black, were calledgeminæ frontes. The reader held the staff in his left hand to unroll the sheet (evolvere librum), as he proceeded, with his right. The roll, if valuable, was kept in a parchment case, which was stained with a purple colour, or yellow. The title of the book (titulusorindex) was written on a small strip of papyrus or parchment with a light red colour (coccum or minium); and this practice was the origin of the art of illumination.

Liber Pontificalis,seu de gestis Romanorum pontificum. A work of the 15th century, of great value to the student of early Christian art work, and in particular of textiles and embroidery.

Libra, R. (1) A balance with two scales (lanx), depending by chains from the ends of the beam (jugum); in the centre of the latter was a handle (ansa). (2) The As or pound; the unit of weight. (SeeAs.)

Libretto, It. The words of an opera, oratorio, &c.

Librile, R. (libra). A term denoting the ends of the beam (jugum) in a balance, and thence the balance itself; it is thus synonymous withLibra(q.v.).

Liburna,Liburnica, R. A vessel of war so called from the fact that it was built on a model invented by the Illyrian pirates, or Liburni.

Lichanos, Gr. (forefinger string). The note below theMeseof the seven-stringed lyre. (SeeMese.)

Lich-gate.A shed over the gate of a churchyard to rest the corpse under. (SeeCorpse-gate.) (Fig.197.)

Lich-stone—near a churchyard gate, for resting coffins on—is generally raised about three feet from the ground, shaped like a coffin, and has stone benches round it for the bearers to rest upon.

Liciæ, Med. Lat. (Fr.lices), from the Italianlizza, palings. The lists; an enclosed space surrounding a camp or castle.

Licium, R. A leash, or thick thread, employed to divide in two a set of threads in a warp, in order to allow the shuttle to pass through them. By analogy, any kind of thread or cord used for fastening.

Lictor, R. (SeeFasces.)

Lieberkuhn.A reflecting mirror on a microscope, named after the inventor.

Lierne Rib(in a vault), Arch. (Fromlier, to bind.) “Any rib that does not arise from the impost, and is not a ridge rib, but crosses from one boss or intersection of the principal ribs to another. Vaults in which suchliernesare employed are termedLIERNE VAULTS.” (Parker’s Glossary.)

Light Red.A pigment of a russet orange tint, produced from burnt ochre.

Lights.The openings between the mullions of a window. (SeeDays.)

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