Collectanea. 89
the equivalent of the speil in SpeiHnn, but the tongue is said to be about half the size. Sides being chosen, and the party to be in fixed, the game commences by one of them striking the ball out. If he miss it he is out for the rest of the innings ; the same happens if he is caught. Supposing the ball to have been struck and have a free course, one of the outs returns it as near to the hole as possible, and the distance from the centre of the hole to the centre of the ball where it then lies is measured by the bat. and the total added to the score of the party in, fractions of length are not counted. To save time in measuring the striker out may say " I'll take six," or any number he judges represents the distance. If this is deemed correct, the offer is accepted and forms the number scored, but any of the outs may challenge the correctness of the distance judged, and measurement with the bat is made. If the number of bat lengths turns out to be less than that mentioned, the striker is put out and the shot counts nothing to his side. If, on the other hand, the length is greater than he mentioned, his side has the advantage of the increase. The bat is taken in turn by each one of a side till all have been put out, the other side then goes in, and those who have scored most win the game.
(P. 24, after line 8.)
In Cowal the posts are called "dulls," and the hole in the den from which the ball is struck is the " moosh."
(P. 35, after Hne 6.)
A Barra variant of the dialogue on p. 32 commencing "Tulla (thulla) gus an iomain" is quite the same as far as " De an iteag?" after which comes
Iteag bronnaich Wing (feather) of belly-band.
De am bronnach ? What belly-band ?
Bronnach eich Belly-band of horse.
De 'n t-each ? What horse ?
Each buidhe blar, suas cnoc an teine. Thuit a' chailleach bharr a mhuin. Thubhairt a Bhanrigh " Thut." (A yellow horse with a white mark on its face, up the hill of fire. The old woman fell off its back. The Queen said " hoot.")
