112 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. [VOL. II. 



Vik is a Scandinavian word that signifies a small creek or bay. Vik 

 is to be recognized in Wick, and in the last syllable of Keswick, Green- 

 wich ; and in the forms o{ aig or ag, it is present in Greenock, Gourock 

 and many other names in the topography of Scotland. Scottish 

 Gaels who are continually in the habit of employing the term sgireachd 

 for parish, are not generally aware that sgireachd, Manx Skeery, is a 

 Scandinavian word, and that it is derived from skera, to cut or divide ; 

 the reference doubtless being to the division of Man and of Scotland 

 into what has been long known as parishes. 



It might be supposed, that as the Gaels occupied the Isle of Tslan and 

 the Hebrides long before Danes or Scandinavians began to visit those 

 places, the word to denote a rock in the sea would be Gaelic. It seems, 

 however, that sgeir, the word in question, is Scandinavian. 



Mr. Moore has rendered very important service to all who take an 

 interest in the Isle of Man ; and to all who find pleasure in examining 

 the records of whatever kind that yet remain to throw light on the 

 days and traditions of Celts everywhere. Mr. Moore's book cannot 

 fail to find a very honourable place among the comparatively few books 

 that are of highest value and that are most highly prized, in connection 

 with the early monuments and character and varied developments of the 

 several divisions of the great Celtic family. The wish is to be devoutly 

 cherished, that some Celts with a large measure of the refined taste and 

 scholarship, and ability and patient enthusiasm of Mr. Moore, will 

 speedily appear to render to their own division of the Celtic family — 

 where such a service is still very much needed — such excellent service as 

 Mr. Moore has rendered to the Isle of Man — a service which ought to 

 endear him to Manx men everywhere, and to make every intelligent and 

 patriotic Celt very grateful to him. 



