CROSIER

The staff of an archbishop, surmounted by a cro , and thereby distinguished from the pastoral staff or crook of a bishop. This staff, according to Polydore Virgil, was given to bishops wherewith to chastise the vices of the people; and was called baculus pastoral is, in respect of their pastoral charge and superintendence over their flock, as well as from its resemblance to the shepherd's crook. Many authors contend that the crosier is derived from the lituus or augural staff of the Romans. [s. 314]