PALLIUM is the name applied in the Roman Catholic church to that peculiar vestment bestowed by the Pope upon all patriarchs and archbishops. It was formerly customary for those functionaries to make a pilgrimage to the Holy City for the purpose of receiving the pall, but other means are now adopted for delivering it to them. The material for the ecclesiastical pallium is obtained from the wool of two lambs slain on the eve of St Agnes. This symbol of the plenitude of ecclesiastical power is deposited on the tombs of St Peter and St Paul, where it is left all night. It is afterwards, when duly consecrated, laid aside by the subdeacons until demanded by those for whom it is designed, whether in person or by proxy. The modern pallium of the church is a short white cloak ornamented with a red cross, which encircles the neck and shoulders, and falls down the back. These palls are purchased from his Holiness at a very considerable sum; and no archbishop can perform the duties of his office before receiving the pallium, nor is it legitimate for him to use that of his predecessor. (See Ersch and Gruber's Encyclopædie, article "Pallium.")