It may further be collected from Horace, that the throw above described had the appellation of _Venus_: for when he intimates, that the president of the feast was elected by the _tali_[34], he must be supposed to mean the most favourable chance upon them. But he[35] elsewhere gives us to understand, that the chance, which determined that election, was called _Venus_. Propertius is somewhat more explicite in assigning the title of this throw, as above; and at the same time informs us further, that the contrary (and consequently most unlucky) one was termed _canes_. _Me quoque per talos_ Venerem _quærente secundos, Semper damnosi subsiluere_ canes[36]. Now it seems to be agreed among the antiquaries, [37]that _canis_ on the _tali_ was unity: and indeed this opinion is countenanced by Persius[38], who contrasts _canicula_ with _senio_. If this be admitted, then the _canes_ of Propertius must have been the chance, wherein all (or at least the greater number of) the _tali_ came up (as we should express it) aces. There have been several other conjectures proposed by learned writers upon this subject, which I choose to omit, for want of proper authorities from the classics to ascertain them. This is likewise the case with regard to the rules observed by the ancient Romans at this diversion. It is not at all improbable, that as we have several species of games upon the same set of dice, cards, _&c._ so they might have the same variety on the _tali_: and if there were any laws established by custom for the regulation of this game in public, yet private parties might be at liberty to innovate at pleasure, and agree upon whatever terms of play were most agreeable to their inclinations or circumstances. In this light (according to [39]Erasmus) we are to consider the account, which Augustus gives of himself and his friends, in an epistle to Tiberius[40]: _Inter cænam lusimus_ γεροντικῶς _heri et hodie: talis enim jactatis, ut quisque canem aut senionem miserat, in singulos talos singulos denarios conferebat, quos tollebat universos, qui Venerem jecerat_. And it is obvious to remark, that (upon this hypothesis) the critics, perhaps, need not have been so much embarassed (as we find they have been) in endeavouring to reconcile this passage of Suetonius with that other of Persius[41] produced above. I shall conclude with noting, that in order to prevent any fraud or slight of hand in managing the _tali_, it was usual to put them into a box[42], and, after shaking them together, to throw them out upon a table. Thus Martial introduces one of these _turriculæ_, as recommending its own usefulness for the purpose above-mentioned: _Quærit compositos manus improba mittere talos, Qui per me mittit, nil nisi vota facit_[43].