608 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 55. 



raising the lid to which one end of it is attached, the other passing 

 through a hole in the disk and terminating in a ring. Incense is 

 used at a solemn high mass, at vespere, benediction, at the obsequies 

 of the dead, and at certain other ceremonies and blessings. The 

 custom of burning incense in religious ceremonies is widespread. 

 Besides the fragrance, it is a symbol of prayer (see Psalms cxli, 2; 

 Revelation v, 8; viii, 3). — Italy. (Plate 62, figs. 2 and 3, Cat. Nos. 

 152233 and 179022, U.S.N.M.) 



18. Denser . — Made of white metal. — Italy. (Cat. No. 179023, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



19. Censer.—Mside of brass.— Italy. (Cat. No. 179023, U.S.N.M.) 



20. Censer. — Made of brass, openwork. — Italy. (Cat. No. 179025, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



21-22. Incensehoat. — Made of white metal, repousse work. Before 

 putting the incense from the boat, or nave, into the censer, the priest 

 makes the sign of the cross and pronounces a blessing over it. — 

 Italy. (Plate 63, figs. 1 and 4, Cat. Nos. 179021-2, U.S.N.M.) 



23. Incense boat. — Made of white metal, chased and repousse work 

 Height, 4^ inches; length, 6^ inches.— Italy. (Cat. No. 152234, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



24-25. Holy water vessel and sprinkler. — The vessel is of v/hite 

 metal with fluted sides in repousse w^ork. The sprinkler is of brass. 

 On Sunday, at the beginning of high mass, the priest sprinkles the 

 people with water, into which salt has been tlu-own and over which 

 various prayers and benedictions have been pronounced, reciting 

 Psalm li, 9. The rite is therefore called Asperges, from the first word 

 of the verse in Latin. It is symbolical of the pm-ification of the soul, 

 and it is also believed to be a means of grace, in virtue of the prayers 

 and blessings pronounced over the water by the priest. Height, 5 

 inches; diameters, 5^ and 3 inches. — Italy. (Plate 63, figs. 2 and 3, 

 Cat. No. 152228, U.S.N.M.) 



26-27. Chalice and paten. — Made of silver, gilded. The chalice is 

 in Renaissance style and is adorned with floral designs in chased work. 

 The chalice, or at least its cup, in wliich the wine is consecrated, and 

 the paten, upon which the host is placed, must be either of gold or 

 of silver gilded. They are consecrated with prayer and anointing 

 with the holy chrism, and after that must not be touched by a lay- 

 man. Height of the chalice, 8 J inches; diameters, 5| and 3| inches; 

 diameter of the paten, 6i inches. — Italy. (Plate 64, figs. 1 and 3, 

 Cat. Nos. 17901G-017, U.S.N.M.) 



28. Pair of cruets with tray. — Made of glass. The stoppers of 

 the cruets are in the form of a cross. Used for holding, respectively, 

 the wine and water for the Eucharist. — Montclair, New Jersey. 

 (Cat. No. 239069, U.S.N.M.) Gift of Rev. Joseph Mendl. 



