_a._ to wool, Od. vi. 53. _b._ to garments woven of it, Od. xiii. 108. In this epithet we have the additional idea of the sea introduced; and it literally means ‘sea-purple.’ But I postpone any remark with respect to Homer’s particular intention in the use of the word, until we come to the epithets derived from ἴον, a violet. Three forms of colour at least seem to be comprehended under this group of words;