41 



is equivalent to tripartitus, trisected^ and its use as a sub- 

 stantive is rare. 



The mention of Maelbrigid Mac Dornan, in connexion 

 with the present volume, might be relied upon as sufficient 

 evidence of its Irish origin ; but there is proof of this fact 

 still more conclusive. In the lovi^er margin of the page, 

 which contains the account of our Lord being compelled to 

 bear his cross, (from ver. 24 to S2 inclusive, of the 27th chap- 

 ter of St. Matthew,) there is the following note in the Irish 

 language, and in the hand-writing of the original scribe : 





The second word is probably a contraction for c.ffixrxx^ fix, 

 or as it would now be spelt, e<XfOnO]j\ f<x ; the whole there- 

 fore, in modern orthography and without contractions, is to 

 be read as follows : 



COo/i e<xfOioO)^\ f<x fOji co;mb;<x n;me <x-^af talrrxin. 

 Great dishonour this to the God of heaven and earth. 



The discovery of this MS., and the satisfactory proof 

 which these facts afford of its Irish origin, are important, as 

 adding another to the many instances with which we are al- 

 ready acquainted, of the employment of Irish scribes in the 

 transcription of the Scriptures during the sixth and seventh 

 centuries. It is now well ascertained that almost all the sacred 

 books so highly venerated by the Anglo-Saxon Church, and 

 left by her early bishops as heirlooms to their respective 

 sees, were obtained from Ireland, or written by Irish scribes. 



DONATIONS. 



The Mining Review, and Journal of Geology, Mineralogy, 

 and Metallurgy. Conducted by Henry EngUsh, Esq., 

 F. G. S., &c. No. IX. (New Series.) Presented by the 

 Editor. 



