(_d_) There is some reason for believing that this game can be traced up to very ancient rites connected with prehistoric worship. The name “Billy Blind” denoted the person who was blindfolded in the game, as may be seen by an old poem by Lyndsay, quoted by Jamieson: War I ane King I sould richt sone mak reformatioun Farlyeand thairof your grace sould richt sone finde That Preistis sall leid yow lyke are bellye blinde. And also in Clerk’s _Advice to Luvaris_: Sum festnit is and ma not flé, Sum led is lyk the belly blynd With luve, war bettir lat it be. [Illustration] “It is probable,” says Jamieson, “that the term is the same as Billy Blynde, said to be the name of a familiar spirit or good genius somewhat similar to the brownie.” Professor Child identifies it with Odin, the blind deity. Another name in Scotland is also “Blind Harie,” which is not the common Christian name “Harry,” because this was not a name familiar in Scotland. Blind Harie may therefore, Jamieson thinks, arise from the rough or hairy attire worn by the principal actor. Auld Harie is one of the names given to the devil, and also to the spirit Brownie, who is represented as a hairy being. Under “Coolin,” a curious Highland custom is described by Jamieson, which is singularly like the game of “Belly Blind,” and assists in the conclusion that the game has descended from a rite where animal gods were represented. Sporting with animals before sacrificing them was a general feature at these rites. It is known that the Church opposed the people imitating beasts, and in this connection it is curious to note that in South Germany the game is called _blind bock_, i. e., “blind goat,” and in German _blinde kuhe_, or “blind cow.” In Scotland, one of the names for the game, according to A. Scott’s poems, was “Blind Buk”: Blind buk! but at the bound thou schutes, And them forbeirs that the rebutes. It may therefore be conjectured that the person who was hoodwinked assumed the appearance of a goat, stag, or cow by putting on the skin of one of those animals. He who is twice crowned or touched on the head by the taker or him who is hoodwinked, instead of once only, according to the law of the game, is said to be _brunt_ (burned), and regains his liberty.—Jamieson. Blind Man’s Stan A boys’ game, played with the eggs of small birds. The eggs are placed on the ground, and the player who is blindfolded takes a certain number of steps in the direction of the eggs; he then slaps the ground with a stick thrice in the hope of breaking the eggs; then the next player, and so on.—Patterson’s _Antrim and Down Glossary_. Blind Nerry-Mopsey The Whitby name for “Blind Man’s Buff.”—Robinson’s _Glossary_. Blind Palmie or Pawmie One of the names given to the game of “Blindman’s Buff.”—Jamieson. Blind Sim Suffolk name for “Blind Man’s Buff.”—Forby’s _Vocabulary of East Anglia_. Block, Haimmer (Hammer), and Nail