in the Composition of Nouns and Adjectives. 83 
prove that Ovip was wrong, both in his fact and his inference. 
The whole passage of AuLus GELLI0s, in which reference is made 
to Ganxus is so judicious, and especially applicable to us in the 
present day, that I willingly introduce it without mutilation. 
« There are many words which we commonly use, of which we 
do not clearly know the true and proper meaning; so that, fol- 
lowing common tradition, without examination, we rather ima- 
gine that we say what we intend, than say it in reality. This is 
the case with vestibulum, a word in general use, yet not well un- 
derstood by those who use it so readily. For I have observed, 
that persons by no means illiterate believe the vestibulum to be 
the lobby (prima domus pars, “ the but-end”), commonly called 
the atrium. C. 7Exv1us Gawvuts, in his second book, ‘ Concern- 
ing the signification of Words connected with Civil Law,’ writes, 
that the ‘ vestibulum was not in the mansion, nor a part of it, but 
a vacant space before the door, through which was the approach 
from the street to the house * * * the door itself is thrown back, 
having a vacant space between it and the street *.”’ GrELLius 
then proceeds to treat with contempt the numerous although 
absurd explanations of the word (under which Ovrp’s must be 
included), and to give the preference to that of Sutricrus Apor- 
tinaris, who derived it from ve, with its supposed increasing 
force, and stabulum, on the same principle as prostibulum and 
naustibulum were formed: “ Because those of old who built large 
*  Pleraque sunt vocabula, quibus vulgo utimur, neque tamen liquido scimus 
quid ea proprie atque vere significent, sed incompertam et vulgariam traditionem rei 
non explorate secuti, videmur magis dicere quod yolumus quam dicimus ; sicuti est 
vestibulum, verbum in sermonibus celebre atque obvium, non omnibus tamen qui 
illo facile utuntur satis spectatum. Animadverti enim quosdam haudquaquam in- 
doctos viros opinari vestibulum esse partem domus priorem, quam vulgus atrium 
vocat. C. Hrs Gaxtys, in libro “ De Significatione Verborum que ad Jus Ci- 
vile pertinent” secundo, “ vestibulum esse dicit non in ipsis zdibus, neque partem 
edium, sed locum ante januam domus vacuam, per quem a via aditus accessusque 
ad zedes est.” * * * “ Atque ipsa janua procul a via est, area vacanti inter sita.” 
L2 
