See also lib. xi. 479. "Travel along" would be insufficient to express the meaning in these instances; and _sulco_ agrees with the modern phrase, "ploughing the deep," &c. Moreover, I submit that the interpretation of _seco_ is governed by the context, inasmuch as its application to both land and water travelling demands a different construction in the two cases. If this be allowed, then comparison cannot be made between the line in question and "viam secat ad naves;" for this refers to Æneas's leaving the infernals, after his visit there; or "secuit sub nubibus arcum," which refers to cleaving the air. Heyne's note is "secuit ... arcum; secando aerem fecit arcum; incessit per arcum." The clearness or muddiness of the river has no connexion with the translation; for the words "placido æquore" clearly and definitely express the state of the _surface_ of the river, and it is such as is required to favour the reflection of the trees, through whose images the ships ploughed their way; and, to make the sense perfect, the words "variis teguntur arboribus" are all that is required as showing the position of the trees with respect to the river. P.S. I have not alluded to the special meaning of active verbs with accusative (Qy. objective) cases after them, &c. ת.א. The Query of your correspondent ERYX has elicited two conflicting opinions as to the meaning of the words "Viridesque secant placido æquore silvas." Perhaps the following suggestion may help to set the matter at rest. If by these words is meant the cleaving of the shadows on the water, how could they, with any propriety, be applied to a voyage that was prosecuted during the darkness of the night as well as by the light of day? "Olli remigio _noctemque_ diemque fatigant." W. B. R. Replies to Minor Queries. _Ell-rake_ (Vol. iv., p. 192.).--VASHTI inquires the derivation of _ell-rake_ or _hell-rake_. In this district (the Cotswolds) we generally suppose the derivation to be from the rake being an ell in width. In the vale, however (_i.e._ about Tewkesbury), they are called _heel-rakes_, from their being drawn at the heel of the person using them, instead of being used in front, as rakes ordinarily are. C. H. N. Cirencester. _Heel-rake_, _Ell-rake_, or _Hell-rake_, is a large rake, which upon being drawn along the ground the teeth run close to the heels of the person drawing it. This has given it the name of _heel-rake_, its right name. In Shropshire (and probably in other counties also) this has become contracted into _ell-rake_. SALOPIAN.