"It may or it may not be a serious reflection upon the accuracy of histor y that the circumstances of the invention of the first ball are enveloped in some doubt. Herodotus attributes it to the Lydians but several other writers unite in conceding to a certain beautiful lady of Corcyra Anagalla by name the credit of first having made a ball for the purpose of pastime. Several passages in Homer rather sustain this latter view and therefore with the weight of evidence and to the glor y of woman we too shall adopt this theor y. Anagalla did not apply for letters patent but whether from goodness of heart or inability to keep a secret she lost no time in making known her invention and explaining its uses. Homer then relates how: "O'er the green mead the sporting virgins play Their shining veils unbound; along the skies Tost and retost the ball incessant flies."