230 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



is, no, a, o. Forms of the dative singular are a, ef, o, etc. The 

 nominative plural of proper names generally terminates in er, ir, 

 ar, e. g. 



Pelmner, the Flamonenses. Aseriater, the Asseriates. 

 Persder, the Perscli. Peihaner, the Vicnmniae. 



Rufrer, the Orbii. Nonair, the Nannes. 



Salier, the Salassi. Hoier, the Euganei. 



Atiersir, the Taurisci. Paveller, the Medulli. 



Popler, the Populonii. Serser, the Isarci. 



Trehlanir, the Triumpiliui, Tesonocir, the Ticinates, etc. 

 The common termination in modern Irish and Scottish Gaelic for 

 patronymics and national and tribal names is ach e. g. Alhannach, 

 a Scotchman ; Eirioymach, an Irishman ; Sasunnach, an English- 

 man ; Frangach, a Frenchman ; Caimheulach, a Campbell ; Ca- 

 maronach, a Cameron. There is thus a marked difference between 

 the Umbrian and the modern method among Gaels of expressing 

 patronymics and tribal names. In his minute examination and 

 collation of the Celtic languages, Pictet was led Xo conclude, " En 

 Irlandais, ara, aire, ar, air, oir, et en gallots awr forment princi- 

 palement des appellatives et des noms d' agents." I believe that the 

 endings er, ir, ar of the plural nouns which I have cited, represent 

 feara, fir, the Gaelic words for men. Yery common in Gaelic is 

 the combination of fear with other nouns to indicate a trade or 

 calling, e. g. 



Clachair, a mason. Seoladair, a sailor. 



Saighdear, a soldier. Sgoilear, a scholar. 



Figheadair, a weaver, etc 

 The plural of such nouns as those ends in an or eayi. 

 Fear, a man, is thus declined : 

 Singular. Plural. 



N. Fear, Fir, Feara, 



G. Fir, Fhear, 



D. Fear, Fearaibh, 



S. Fear, Fear, 



Y. Fhir, Fheara, 



In the numer.jus proper names which occur in the Inscriptions 

 with the endings er, ir, ar, in the nominative plural: the Gaelic 

 fir, feara is present ; so that the words will signify, Persder, 



