614 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 55. 



72. Silver hell. — Adorned with three Greek crosses within ovals in 

 chased work. Height, 1| mches; diameter, 1^ inches. — Seville, 

 Spain. (Cat. No. 167045, U.S.N.M.) 



73. Wooden clapper. — During holy week, when music and joyous 

 sounds are excluded from the church, a wooden clapper or rattle is 

 used in place of a metal bell, to give the various signals to the con- 

 gregation. Measurements, 12 by 14 inches. — (Cat. No. 179054, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



74. Osculatory. — A bronze plaque made m form of a facade of the 

 Italian Renaissance style, with the representation of the Ecce Homo 

 (Christ holding a scepter — compare Matthew xxvii, 29), and the 

 word lerosolyma (Jerusalem) ; in the gable, a cherub, and below, a 

 floral design ; with a handle on the back. The osculatory is an instru- 

 ment whereby the "kiss of peace" is given at a certain stage of the 

 celebration of the mass. Hence its name, from the Latin osculum, 

 kiss; it is also called pax, peace. In the primitive church the usage 

 was for the ''holy kiss" to be given by the members of the congre- 

 gation promiscuously to one another. In the twelfth or thirteenth 

 century, for reasons of convenience, a substitute for the actual kiss 

 was introduced in the shape of a tablet, bearing the image of Christ, 

 or Mary, or of a saint, or of the crucifixion, and fitted with a handle, 

 which after being kissed by the celebrating priest, was passed to those 

 who were to receive the Idss of peace. It is rarely used at present. 

 Height, 5^ inches; width, 3 J inches. — Italy. (Plate 70, fig. 1, Cat. 

 No. 179045, U.S.N.M.) 



75. Osculatory. — Gilt bronze plaque in form of a facade of the 

 Italian renaissance style, flanked by caryatids with a handle behind. 

 In the gable, God the Father giving the blessing; in the center, the 

 descent of the cross, with the Mater Dolorosa above it; below^ a 

 cherub. Height, 6| inches; width, 4| inches. — Italy. (Plate 70, 

 fig. 2, Cat. No. 179046, U.S.N.M.) 



76. Hourglass. — An hourglass was formerly kept on the pulpit to 

 regulate the duration of the sermon. Height, 6^ inches; diameter, 3 J 

 inches.— Italy. (Cat. No. 152250, U.S.N.M.) 



77-78. Vase and tray. — Made of white metal. Chased and repousse 

 work. Used for ablution by the bishop before and after celebration 

 of mass. Height of vase, 8 inches; diameters 3 and 2^ inches; 

 diameters of the tray, 12^ and 9^ inches. — Italy. (Plate 65, figs. 2 

 and 3, Cat. No. 152228, U.S.N.M.) 



SERVICE OF BENEDICTION. 



The service of Benediction, or as it is more fully called, Benediction 

 of the Blessed Sacrament, is an afternoon or evening devotion. Its 

 main feature is the exposing of the Eucharist (the consecrated host) 

 upon the altar in an ostensory, which is surrounded with lights, in- 



