Mr. Petrie on the Domnach-Airgid. I'J 



right hand raised in the act of giving the benediction : figures incensing are en- 

 graved on the field. This principal figure probably represents S. Mac Carthen, or 

 St. Tighernach. The under compartment exhibits a figure of St. John the Baptist 

 holding in his left hand a round medallion or picture of the Lamb ; and in his 

 right hand a scroll, on which is inscribed the words, " £Jcce Agnus Dei." A 

 figure of the daughter of Herodias with the head of St. John on a salver, 

 appears engraved on the field. — (See Plate III.) 



In consequence of the removal of these tablets to the back, as already stated, 

 the more ancient plated cover has become exposed on the two ends, as shown 

 in Plate IV. 



The bottom, or back, of the case is ornamented with a large cross, on which 

 there is an inscription in the gothic or black letter. This inscription is of a 

 later age than those already noticed, but I am unable, from its injured state, to 

 decipher it wholly. It concludes with the word " CloaCf)ar>" the name of the 

 see, to which, as I shall presently show, the reliquary originally appertained. 



I now come to the most important portion of this remarkable monument of 

 antiquity, — the treasure for whose honor and preservation so much cost and labour 

 were expended. It is a Latin manuscript of the Gospels ; but of what text 

 or version I am unable, in its present state, to offer an opinion, as the mem- 

 branes are so tenaciously incorporated by time that I dare not venture, through 

 fear of injuring, to separate them. These Gospels are separate from each 

 other, and three of them appear to be perfect ; but the fourth, which is the 

 Gospel of St. Matthew, is considerably injured in the beginning, and from this 

 two leaves have been detached, which have enabled us to ascertain the subject of, 

 as well as the form of letter used in, the manuscript, — namely, the Uncial or 

 corrupt Roman character, popularly called Irish, and similar in appearance to the 

 very ancient manuscripts of the Gospels preserved in the library of Trinity 

 College. That it is of equal antiquity with those manuscripts — which are of 

 the sixth century — I have little doubt ; and from evidences which I shall pre- 

 sently adduce, I think it not unlikely to be of an even earlier age, — ^perhaps the 

 oldest copy of the Sacred Word now existing. 



I shall endeavour to arrange these evidences in consecutive order. 



1. It is of importance to prove that this cumdach, or reliquary, has been from 

 time immemorial popularly known by the name of Domnach, or, as it is pro- 



VOL. XVIIK c 



