10 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 



The drawing of "Peincipio" is the most fantastic thing in the whole MS. 

 The initial is in the conventional B-shape, the " E " is in the upper loop, the 

 " I " in the outside valley made by the convergence of the loops, and the "N" 

 (resembling our capital H) in the lower loop. Contiguous to this is a tall 

 rectangle like a cupboard divided into three shelves ; the upper shelf contains 

 " CI," the middle contains the Greek " n " with " I " inside it like a 

 monogram, and the lower contains " 0." Thus is made up the word 

 " Principio," which no one could possibly read if he did not know what to 

 expect. In fact, it is a most intricate puzzle, and can hardly, I should think, 

 be paralleled in any other MS. 



It only remains that I should express my deep obligation to Bodley's 

 Librarian, Mr. Nicholson, for his considerate kindness in allowing me to 

 examine the MS. for several days, and to take photographs ; and to Mr. Madan, 

 Sub-Librarian, for valuable help generously given ; also that I should 

 acknowledge the excellence of the photographs taken by Mr. Maynard, the 

 capable operator of the Clarendon Press. 



