[2112] In B. ii. c. 54.
[2113] It has been suggested that Tullus Hostilius was acquainted with some of the secrets of electricity, and that he met his death while trying experiments with a lightning conductor. See B. ii. c. 54.
[2114] Ajasson thinks that there is an equivoque here upon the word “templum,” which signified not only a building, but certain parts of the heavens, and corresponding lines traced on the earth by the augur’s staff.
[2115] This story is mentioned by Plutarch, in the Life of Publicola.
[2116] In which case it was considered necessary to repeat the words, “Accipio omen,” “I accept the omen.”
[2117] “Qui fruges excantassit.”
[2118] “Qui malum carmen incantassit.”
[2119] Ajasson is of opinion that this name was either Favra or Fona, Acca, Flora, or Valesia or Valentia.
[2120] “As in saying thus, The Devill take thee, or The Ravens peck out thine eyes, or I had rather see thee Pie peckt, and such like.”—Holland.
[2121] It is a superstition still practised to pierce the shell of an egg after eating it, “lest the witches should come.” Holland gives the following Note—“Because afterwards no witches might pricke them with a needle in the name and behalfe of those whom they would hurt and mischeefe, according to the practice of pricking the images of any person in wax; used in the witchcraft of these daies.” We learn from Ajasson that till recently it was considered a mark of ill-breeding in France not to pierce the shell after eating the egg. See also Brand’s Popular Antiquities, Vol. III. p. 19, Bohn’s Ed.