Dove-tail or Swallow-tail, Gen. A method of joining employed for wood, stone, or iron, and so called because the tenon by which the joint is effected is cut in the shape of a dove-tail or swallow-tail. This tail fits into a notch (Fig. [269]). The ancients employed double dove-tails for joining stones together; this method of construction was called Opus Revinctum (q.v.).
Dove-tail Moulding, Arch. (Norman; called also Triangular Frette). Decorated with running bands in the form of dove-tails.
Doves, the Eucharistic. Sacred vessels of gold, silver, gilded bronze, or ivory, in the form of a dove, a tower, &c., which served as receptacles for the reserved Host; they were hung up in the middle of the Ciborium (q.v.). At the Amiens Museum a dove of this kind is to be seen dating from the 12th century, and at the church of St. Nazaire at Milan there is one of silver, gilded within and enamelled without, which is also very ancient.
Dowlas, O. E. Coarse linen cloth made in Brittany; “filthy dowlas!”
Drachma, Gr. (δραχμή; δράσσομαι, to hold in the hand). A drachm, the principal silver coin of the Greeks. There were two kinds of drachmata, which differed in value: the Attic drachm and the Æginetan. The Attic drachma was equal in value to a franc, equal to six oboloi. The piece of four drachmas was called a stater. As a weight the drachma was the eighth of an uncia; about = our modern drachm.
Draco, Gen. (1) A dragon; the ensign of the Roman cohort in the time of Trajan, adopted from the Parthians. (2) A fantastic animal of Pagan mythology: the garden of the Hesperides, the Golden Fleece, and the fountain of Castalia were all guarded by dragons. (3) In Christian archæology the dragon symbolizes sin, especially idolatry. (4) The Chinese give to several immortals the figure of a dragon. They distinguish the long dragon of heaven, a being especially sacred; the Kau, dragon of the mountain; and the Li, dragon of the sea. The dragons are represented as “gigantic saurians, with powerful claws, and terminated by a frightful head, scaly and strongly toothed.” There are the scaly dragon, the winged dragon, the horned and the hornless dragons, and the dragon rolled within itself which has not yet taken flight to the upper regions. In their zodiacal system the dragon is the sign for the month of March. (See Tchy.)
Draconarius, R. The standard-bearer who carried the draco.
Dracontarium, R. A band for the head, so called because it was twisted in imitation of the draco which was used as an ensign.
Fig. 270. Heraldic Dragon.