^{page 274 note *} I. Kemble, Cod. Dipl. No. 195.

page 274 note † The following is a tentative translation of the gemæro, of which the original text will be found in Mr. Birch's paper. (See ante, p. 225.) It should be premised, however, that it would require accurate local knowledge to secure a correct rendering. Perhaps the Local Secretary for Herefordshire may succeed in identifying the places, and thus effect a more exact rendering than is here attempted:—

“In the first place from Milford along Arrow as far as Washford. From Washford along Arrow round about Holanige (or Hole Island); upward still from Holanige as far as along the more upward Oakedge as far as Snaedway; forward still and upward still to the upper Oakedge; from Snaedway round about Heanley to Oaksbridge up along the brook as far as the dyke; along the dyke into Tanesbeck; from Tanesbeck along the limitary inclosure as far as the landmark of the Lion's Hinds: along the landmark of the Lion's Hinds as far as Athelwold's hedge; from Athelwold's hedge to Hean Olde; from Hean Olde to the boundary thorn; from the boundary thorn along the inclosure to the lidgate; from the lidgate along the high road to Dyke's Gate; from Dyke's Gate to the third gate; then along the high road until back again to Milford.

^{page 277 note *} The right ascension of Sirius (and Canis Majoris) is 6h. 38m. 6s. (Smyth, “Cycle of Celestial Objects,” ii. 158), and the sidereal time at noon, July 1, 1880, will be 6h. 39m. 40s., so that the conjunction will take place this year on that day at 2h. 27m. 47s. a.m.

page 277 note † The real importance of the Feast of Sothis appears to have resulted from its connection with the commencement of the great annual event of Egypt, the rising of the Nile, which begins shortly after the summer solstice and which was supposed to be due to the influence of this deity. This circumstance will account for the continued observance of the feast at the same period of the tropical year, instead of its following the vague year, or being regulated by the appearance of the star.