Fig. 551. A Silver Engraved Pomander, or Scent-box, shown open and closed.
Pomander, O. E. (from pomme d’ambre, perfume apple). A scent-box worn at the end of the hanging girdles of the 16th century. (See Pouncet-box.) (Fig. [551].) Consult an interesting monograph by R. H. Soden Smith, “Notes on Pomanders.”
Pomme, Her. A green roundle.
Pomœrium, R. (post and mœrium (murus) behind the walls). A line enclosing a town, marked out at intervals by stone pillars. When the limits of the town were extended, the pomœrium could not be changed without augury by the jus pomœrii, and, in any case, only by a town whose inhabitants had contributed to the extension of the limits of the empire.
Pompa, R. and Gr. (πομπή). A solemn procession, especially that with which the games of the circus were preceded.
Pondus, Weight, R. (pendo, to suspend). An object used for weighing, either with the balance (libra), or the steelyard (statera). The same term was also applied to a weaver’s weights; these were of stone, terra-cotta, or lead.
Fig. 552. Pons.
Pons, R. (Gr. γέφυρα). (1) A bridge; the causeway (agger) which traversed the Roman bridge was paved with large polygonal stones; on either side of it was a pathway (crepido). Fig. [552] shows the Roman bridge at St. Chamas, at the ends of which were erected triumphal arches (fornices). (See Fornix.) Pons sublicius was a wooden bridge built upon piles; pons suffragiorum, the voting-bridge over which the electors passed as they came out of the septum to cast their vote (tabella) into the urn (cista). It is probable that the Greek bridges were of wood. (2) A wharf or landing-stage by the water-side.
Poongi, Hindoo. A curious musical instrument made of a gourd, or sort of cocoa-nut, into which two pipes are inserted. It is the instrument played by the Sampuris, or snake-charmers, to the performing cobras.