• sion of the ritual books (commentarii sacrornin or libri pontificates), in which all religious rites were laid down, and which at all times were considered as decisive upon any point which belonged to their juris diction ; and consequently, they decided what auguries were to be received. The rules and regulations which guided the pontifiees formed a largo body of law, called 'Jim Poutificium.' (Cie.,' De Or.,' i. 43; iii. 33; ' Pro Dom.; 13.) Among the external distinctions of the pontiffs, ere the toga prretexta, and the tutulus or galena, a cap of a conical form adorned with en apex. They lived in public buildings on the Vi3 Sacra (Suet., Cies.; 46), or in the house of Nunia (I'lin., ' Ephit.; iv. 11). The chief pontiff was not permitted to quit Italy (a rule first violated by I'. Lieu:his Crams); he was not allowed either to sec or to touch a corpse, or even to visit a house in which there was a dead body. After the death of his wife, who, according to the laws, should always be a woman of great moral virtue, he was not permitted to marry again. (!'din.,' Paneg.; 83.) lie also elected the
vestal virgins, and superintended their moral conduct. From the time that Augustus assumed the office of chief pontiff, it was held by all his successors down to the time of Gratianua, who disdained this dignity. (Zothin., iv. 36, 9.) The title 1'.31., or Pon. 31., Pontifex 3haximus, appears on some of the coins of the Roman einirors. The mode of living of the Roman pontiffs does not seem to have been much more sober or simple than that of some priests of modern times. (Horst., Od.,' ii. 14, 20, ff.; Martial, Epigr.; xii. 48, 12 ; Macrob., Sat.,' ii. 9.) In the Roman Catholic church, the Popo has the title of Sovereign Pontiff. In the Liturgy of that church all prelates are styled Pontiffs. The book of ceremonials for.the administration of the sacrament is called the pontifical ; and the pontificate is alike the dignity of the pope, and the period during which he occupies the seat. It is ob servable that the early Christian priestly communities were frequently the founders or guardians of bridges.