Delphinia. A Greek festival in honour of Apollo.
Delphinorum Columnæ, R. The two columns at one end of the spina of a circus, on which marble figures of dolphins were placed. The seven ova (eggs) on similar columns at the end of the spina opposite to these dolphins, served to indicate the number of turns made by the chariots round the goal. (See Ovum.) [The figure of the dolphin was selected in honour of Neptune.] (Cf. Circus.)
Fig. 241. Dolphin. Used as an ornament.
Fig. 242. Dolphin. Medal of Syracuse.
Delphinus, Dolphin, Gen. (δελφίν). The dolphin was often used as an ornament, and especially as a hand-rest or banister to the vomitoria or entrances of the theatres and amphitheatres. Fig. [241] represents a dolphin utilized in this manner at the theatre of Puzzoli. Many medals, as for instance those of Syracuse (Fig. [242]), are stamped with a dolphin. (See also Dolphin.)
Delphis, R. A heavy mass of iron or lead used in naval warfare, to drop on board of a hostile ship and sink it. (Compare Corvus.)
Delubrum, R. (deluo, to cleanse). A shrine; the part of a temple which contains the altar or statue of the deity, and thence a temple containing an altar.
Demembered, Dismembered, Her. Cut into pieces, but without any alteration in the form of the original figure.