The _Alb_, which may be described as a long linen garment somewhat like a surplice, with close-fitting sleeves, reaching nearly to the ground. It is frequently embroidered at the foot before and behind {109} and at the end of the sleeves. These pieces of embroidery are called "apparels." The alb is confined at the waist by a white cord called the girdle. [Illustration: The Alb] Around the neck is worn the _Amice_--an oblong piece of linen, a part of which is folded over and forms a large collar. This is often embroidered. The _Chasuble_, sometimes called "the vestment" by way of distinction, is worn only at the celebration of the Holy Communion. It is oval in shape, without sleeves, with an opening in the middle through which the head may be passed. In front and behind it extends nearly to the ground, and on the sides to the hands. It is usually ornamented with a Y-shaped cross, which is often embroidered. The chasuble is sometimes ornamented with very rich needlework. The stole is worn under the chasuble, crossed on the breast, and passed under the girdle. [Illustration: The Chasuble] Sometimes the _Maniple_ is also worn. It is shaped like a stole, but smaller, and is fastened with a loop over the left arm near the wrist. This dress, with local differences, is worn in all {110} the ancient Churches of Christendom. It has come down to us with the Church itself. It is, in fact, simply the dignified dress of primitive days, enriched and ornamented. Times and customs have changed, but the dress of the Priest, made sacred by association with his holy work, has remained unaltered. In churches where the Holy Eucharist is celebrated with very full ceremonial, the two clergy-men who assist the celebrant, called the "deacon" and "subdeacon," sometimes on festival occasions wear respectively a _Dalmatic_ and a _Tunicle_. These garments are very similar, being a kind of loose coat or frock reaching below the knees, open partially at the lower part of the sides, and having full, though not large, sleeves. The dalmatic is usually somewhat more ornamented. These are festival garments. On other occasions the girded alb and the amice are often worn by the deacon and subdeacon. [Illustration: Dalmatic] The chasuble, and also the dalmatic and tunicle, are often of silk, of the color of the season; but the custom of wearing only white linen vestments prevails in many churches. {111} "The following somewhat fanciful meanings, among various others, have been applied to the vestments: the alb is said to signify the white robe which Herod placed upon our Saviour; the amice, the cloth with which He was blindfolded by the Jews; the stole, maniple, and girdle, the cords which bound Him, and the chasuble, the purple robe of scorn.