a book directing the order and manner to be observed in performing divine service in a particular church, diocese, or the like. The ancient heathens had also their rituals, which contained their rites and ceremonies to be observed in building a city, consecrating a temple or altar, in sacrificing, and defining, in dividing the curiae, tribes, centuries, and in general, in all their religious ceremonies. There are several passages in Cato's books, De re Rustica, which may give us some idea of the rituals of the ancients.