Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bipalium

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

BIPA'LIUM. A particular kind of spade, fitted with a cross-bar at a certain height above the blade, upon which the labourer pressed his foot in digging, and thus drove the blade two spits deep, or twice the depth of the common spade (pala). The usual reach of this instrument was two feet, but that could be increased or diminished, by placing the cross-bar either further from, or nearer to, the blade. (Cato, R. R. 45. 2. Varro, R. R. i. 37. 5. Columell. i. 3. 11.) The example (Bipalium/1.1) is from a sepulchral bas-relief.

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  Bipalium/1.1