There is one other point of importance in the history of this vestment in the transitional period. It was found that such a flowing garment as the _alba_ seriously incommoded the priest on some occasions, particularly in administering baptism by immersion. Accordingly, an _alba_ fitting closely to the body was invented for use on such occasions, and is represented in certain MS. illuminations, particularly a ninth-century pontifical now in the St Minerva Library at Rome. The special importance of this point is due to the fact that this baptismal _alba_ was probably the immediate parent of the mediaeval alb; the closer vestment being found more convenient on other occasions as well as that of baptism, and having gradually become adopted in all the other offices of the Church as well. [Illustration: FIG. 2.—A BISHOP ADMINISTERING BAPTISM.] II. _The Orarium._—Both this vestment and the name by which it was known have given much trouble to scholars. The following list of the various derivations which have been suggested for the word _orarium_ (arranged in order of probability) is not uninteresting: 1. _Ora_, because used to wipe the face. 2. _Orare_, because used in prayer. 3. =hôra=, because it indicated the _time_ of the different parts of the service. 4. =hôraizein=, because the deacon was beautified with it. 5. _Ora_ (a coast), because (alleged to have been) originally the edging of a lost garment. 6. =horaô=, because the _sight_ of it indicated whether a priest or deacon was ministering (!). There can be little doubt that the first is the true etymology. The others are all more or less fanciful; and the _orarium_ was certainly employed originally as a scarf. Ambrose speaks of the face of the dead Lazarus being bound with an _orarium_; and Augustine uses the same word to indicate a bandage employed to tie up a wounded eye. Numerous effigies of late date are extant which exhibit a kind of scarf, passing over the left shoulder diagonally downwards to the right side, and fastened under the right arm. As Albertus Rubenius long ago pointed out, these scarves must not be confused with the _clavi_ which ornamented the tunics of senators and _equites_; for they are worn over the _pallium_, or outer garment, and are disposed in a manner quite different from that in which the _clavi_ fall.