50 miles distant, Africa is less than 200, as we are informed
by Marcus Varro, and Sicily a mile and a half.

Ovid, "Fasti," book IV, 1. 735 ff.

The following is from an author of the Augustan Age, but the
old worship herein described had survived practically unchanged in
agricultural districts from very primitive times. We may imagine
the men of the age of the Tarquins practicing almost exactly these
identical rites.

Shepherd! at the first streak of dawn purify thy well-
nourished flocks; first besprinkle them with water, and let
a branch sweep clean the ground. Let the folds be decked
with leaves and branches, while a trailing wreath covers the
gates so gaily adorned. Then make the blue flames to rise
from the living sulphur, and the sheep bleat loudly whilst
she feels the touch of the smoking sulphur. Burn next the
olive-branch, the pine twig, the juniper, -- for this is the
food which rejoices the country goddess the most. Give
also to her an especial share of the feast, and her pail of
milk; and when her share has been set aside, then, with milk
warm from the cow, make thou thy prayer to Pales ¹ --
warder of the woods.

[In this prayer the farmer must beg forgiveness for any uncon-
scious sins against the rustic deities, such as trespassing on their
groves; or sheltering his flocks under their altar; then he should
beg that disease be averted, and good luck attend his crops, herds,
and flocks.]

Thus must thou win the favor of the divinity; and say
this prayer four times, turning toward the sunrise, and wash
thy hands at the running stream. Then set the rustic bowl

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