From CE 1907: "The name Agnus Dei has been given to certain discs of wax impressed with the figure of a lamb and blessed at stated seasons by the Pope. They are sometimes round, sometimes oval in diameter. The lamb usually bears a cross or flag, while figures of saints or the name and arms of the Pope are commonly impressed on the reverse. These Agnus Deis may be worn suspended round the neck, or they may be preserved as objects of devotion. In virtue of the consecration they receive, they are regarded, like holy water, blessed palms etc, as Sacramentals." The making and consecration of Agnus Dei traditionally took place during the Holy Week, in the 1st year of a new pope's pontificate, then every 7th year he remained in office. The wax used was the collected remnants of paschal candles from the Sistine and other chapels. The picture shows an Agnus Dei from 1922.
The fragile Agnus Dei (or a fragment of it) was often enclosed in a pouch of cloth or leather, that was then embroidered or decorated with lace. This work of devotion was usually entrusted to cloistered nuns. Carrying an Agnus Dei provided 'Immunities' including Protection against floods, thunderstorms and wind-storms, Aid toward atonement, Security against a sudden and unexpected death, Guard against the wiles of the devil and the snares of witchcraft etc. The tradition of the Vatican consecrating and distributing Agnus Dei may have started as early as the 6c., was well established in the 9c., and was last performed in 1964.
"a shrivelled potato and a celluloid doll fall out.)"

(U15.289)

'Celluloid' is a class of synthetic compounds created from nitrocellulose and camphor, and considered to be the first thermoplastic. It was first created as Parkesine (1856) and as Xylonite (1869) before being registered as Celluloid (1870). Celluloid is easily molded and shaped. Initially used as an ivory replacement, it became widely used in the 19c. and the first half of the 20c. in knife handles, fountain pen bodies, collars and cuffs, toys, etc. and later in photographic film as well. However, it was highly flammable easily and easily decomposed, and in time was replaced by cellulose acetate plastics then polyester. It is no longer used today, except for table tennis ball and guitar picks. The image is a hand-painted celluloid postcard from the 1900s.
"Sacred Heart of Mary, where were you at all, at all?

(Bloom, mumbling, his eyes downcast, begins to bestow his parcels in his filled pockets but desists, muttering.)

A VOICE

(sharply) Poldy!

BLOOM

Who? (he ducks and wards off a blow clumsily)."

(U15.290)
"At your service.

(He looks up."

(U15.296)
"Beside her mirage of datepalms a handsome woman in Turkish costume stands before him. Opulent curves fill out her scarlet trousers and jacket slashed with gold. A wide yellow cummerbund girdles her."

(U15.297)
"A white yashmak, violet in the night, covers her face, leaving free only her large dark eyes and raven hair.)

BLOOM

Molly!"

(U15.300)
"MARION

Welly? Mrs Marion from this out, my dear man, when you speak to me. (satirically) Has poor little hubby cold feet waiting so long?

BLOOM

(shifts from foot to foot) No, no. Not the least little bit.

(He breathes in deep agitation, swallowing gulps of air, questions, hopes, crubeens for her supper, things to tell her, excuse, desire, spellbound. A coin gleams on her forehead. On her feet are jewelled toerings. Her ankles are linked by a slender fetterchain."

(U15.305)
"Beside her a camel, hooded with a turreting turban, waits. A silk ladder of innumerable rungs climbs to his bobbing howdah. He ambles near with disgruntled hindquarters. Fiercely she slaps his haunch, her goldcurb wristbangles angriling, scolding him in Moorish.)

MARION

Nebrakada! Femininum!

(The camel, lifting a foreleg, plucks from a tree a large mango fruit, offers it to his mistress, blinking, in his cloven hoof, then droops his head and, grunting, with uplifted neck, fumbles to kneel."

(U15.313)
"Bloom stoops his back for leapfrog.)

BLOOM

I can give you... I mean as your business menagerer... Mrs Marion... if you..."

(U15.322)
"MARION

So you notice some change? (Her hands passing slowly over her trinketed stomacher, a slow friendly mockery in her eyes.) O Poldy, Poldy, you are a poor old stick in the mud! Go and see life. See the wide world.

BLOOM

I was just going back for that lotion whitewax, orangeflower water. Shop closes early on Thursday. But the first thing in the morning. (He pats divers pockets.) This moving kidney. Ah!
(He points to the south, then to the east. A cake of new clean lemon soap arises, diffusing light and perfume.)"

(U15.327)
THE SOAP

We're a capital couple are Bloom and I.
He brightens the earth. I polish the sky.

(The freckled face of Sweny, the druggist, appears in the disc of the soapsun.)

SWENY

Three and a penny, please.

BLOOM

Yes. For my wife. Mrs Marion. Special recipe.

MARION

(softly) Poldy!

BLOOM

Yes, ma'am?

MARION

Ti trema un poco il cuore?" (U15.337)
"(In disdain she saunters away, plump as a pampered pouter pigeon, humming the duet from Don Giovanni.)

BLOOM

Are you sure about that Voglio? I mean the pronunciati...

(He follows, followed by the sniffing terrier. The elderly bawd seizes his sleeve, the bristles of her chinmole glittering.)"

(U15.352)
"THE BAWD

Ten shillings a maidenhead. Fresh thing was never touched. Fifteen. There's no-one in it only her old father that's dead drunk.
(She points. In the gap of her dark den furtive, rainbedraggled Bridie Kelly stands.)

BRIDIE

Hatch street. Any good in your mind?"

(U15.358)
"(With a squeak she flaps her bat shawl and runs. A burly rough pursues with booted strides."

(U15.365)
"He stumbles on the steps, recovers, plunges into gloom. Weak squeaks of laughter are heard, weaker.)

THE BAWD

(Her wolfeyes shining.) He's getting his pleasure. You won't get a virgin in the flash houses. Ten shillings. Don't be all night before the polis in plain clothes sees us. Sixtyseven is a bitch."

(U15.366)