56 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



called the "preaching order." The. Dominicans are also called 

 Black Friars, because of the black cloak worn by them out of doors. 

 Italy. (Cat. No. 154312&, U.S.N.M.) 



230. Hahit of a Capuchin monk. — Consisting of upper garment, 

 cowl of brown cloth and rope girdle. The Capuchins are a branch 

 of the Franciscan order, established by Matteo di Bassi, of Urbino, 

 in 1526. They derive their name from the long-pointed capuche, or 

 cowl, which is the distinguishing mark of their dress. Their regula- 

 tions oblige them to live by begging, and not to use gold, silver, or 

 silk, even in the decoration of their churches and altars. Italy. 

 (Cat. No. 154312, U.S.N.M.) 



231 . Costume of the Fraternity of the Misericordia. — Consisting of a 

 loose hooded cassock of black stuff, held by a girdle from which a 

 rosary is suspended, and a broad brimm.ed felt hat. The Fraternity 

 of the Misericordia (Pia Arciconfraternita de Santa Maria delta 

 Misericordia) is believed to have been instituted in 1244 and is 

 surviving to the present day in many cities and towns of Italy. 

 Besides taking care of the burial and the performance of the funeral 

 rites of the dead and friendless its members also discharge the func- 

 tion of an ambulance corps, dealing with accidents as they occur and 

 carrying the sick to the hospitals. Its membership is recruited from 

 all ranks of society, and the active work is carried on by the members 

 in person. The funds needed for the work are obtained by mute 

 appeals of the members in public places and at the doors of churches, 

 for which they hold out an alms box, and from the fees of the mem- 

 bership. When on duty the m.embers wear a costume of the cheapest 

 material which completely envelopes and disguises them; even the 

 face is hidden by a covering in which only two holes are left for the 

 eyes. Pisa, Italy. (Cat. No. 153893, U.S.N.M.) 



232. Devotions in Honor of the Stigmata and Festival of St. Francis 

 of Assisi. — Printed in 1740 at Rome. St. Francis, born 1182, died 

 1226, in Assisi, Italy, was the founder of the Franciscan order. 

 According to tradition he received, in 1224, while absorbed in prayer 

 and contemplation on Monte Alverno, the stigm_ata of Christ — that is, 

 an imitation of the wounds of Christ — was miraculously impressed upon 

 his body. He was canonized in 1228. Rome, Italy. (Cat. No. 

 214724, U.S.N.M.) 



233. Disciplinary girdle. — Made of wire. It is sometimes worn by 

 monks and other devout persons as a means of mortification and of 

 subduing the passions. Length, 3 feet. Italy. (Plate 22 (lower), 

 fig. 1, Cat. No. 179067, U.S.N.M.) 



234. Disciplinary scourge. — Made of twisted wii-e. They are em- 

 ployed by monks and other devout persons as a means of mortifi- 

 cation and of subduing the passions. Italy. (Plate 22 (lower), 

 fig. 2, Cat. No. 152252, U.S.N.M.) 



