SERIES OF CHAPTERS.

with the wind filling its sail, favorable for the journey; regarding which matter a passage of Virgil is illustrated. Soon it was carried around the temple of Ceres, past the Pelasgic wall and the shrine of Apollo Pythius, and was led back to its place. Then the peplus was led into the citadel, past the Mercuries; from which a wooden platform was placed there by Demetrius for the courtesan Aristagora, his mistress. If its lower parts happened to be contaminated by chance, there was a certain person appointed to wash it, called the Cathanites purifier from the act. Soon it was draped over the statue of Minerva, for whom a bed was prepared from flowers, called the Plakis.*

CHAPTER XX.

In the procession, old men walked with a branch of olive; whence they were called Thallophori branch-bearers. The passage of Hesychius is restored. Those were chosen for this who were in the bloom of their youth. A jest of Aristophanes, and an error of the grammarians. Old women, just like the old men, also led that procession.

CHAPTER XXI.

Men also in the prime of life, and they with arms: and women. The former were followed by resident aliens, with hoes, called Scaphephori spade-bearers; the latter, their wives, with a water pitcher, called Hydriaphori water-pitcher-bearers. Aelian is restored, and Hesychius is illustrated.

CHAPTER XXII.

And youths, singing a paean; with a crown and a chlamys cloak. That crown was of millet, the chlamys was black; and why that was, and for how long: then white, and by whom that was instituted.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Finally, virgins proceeded with baskets; whence they were called Canephori basket-bearers. Coverings were thrown over them, called Histrianides.