NOTES. 



149 



a single piece of metal (though the Greeks may 

 have had such bits), but always speaks of one that 

 is jointed. His expression, "stiff bit," therefore, 

 applies to one in which the parts — the joints, 

 discs, and echini — do not play easily about 

 each other, either from rust, or because the parts 

 are too tight. 



That numerous other kinds of bits, and varia- 

 tions upon these two kinds, were known to the 

 ancients, is evident from the classical writers, from 

 Pollux, and from works of art. For example, the 

 modern roller-bit is found in the mouth of Alexan- 

 der's horse (cut on p. 69), if one may trust the 

 large engraving in the "Bronzi di Ercolano," ii, 

 p. 339. There are also in the Naples Museum 

 a number of bits, of which I have seen photo- 

 graphs. None of them exactly resemble the bit 

 described by Xenophon, though several approach 

 it in details. The whole subject is a good field 

 for closer investigation, and little confidence can 

 be placed in the statements found in the ordinary 

 books on antiquities. 



54. (Page 58.) The device of hanging Httle 

 rings from the middle of the bit is familiar in 

 modern times. 



55. (Page 61.) As, for instance, in the Pana- 

 thenaic festival. The frieze of the Parthenon 

 represents the parade on this occasion. A com- 



