contour than the knives are the arrow and javelin blades. These, like all the extreme archaic flint instruments, must have been fashioned with few blows, broad conchoidal fractures being seen throughout the examples, whereas the implements of later date were chipped into shape by a succession of strokes, leaving numerous small undulations over the surface and round the edges. In addition to the narrow knives and missile blades, are broad pieces of sharp flint of less definite purpose, some conjectured to have been employed as knives or scrapers, to be held between the thumb and finger without the adjunct of a haft. They may, however, have been set along the edge of a stout staff like the Obsidian blades of the Mexican miquahuilt. Most of these Bridlington. specimens are patinated in a way which only a long series of ages could effect, and coupled with their rude fabric, proves them to be of a remote antiquity."

As a contrast to these genuine relics of the Stone Period, Mr. Cuming laid before the meeting two arrow blades made on January 6th, 1862, by the notorious Yorkshire forger, William Smith.' The first is wrought of black flint, flat on one side and keeled on the other, and having a thick pointed tang. The second is of grey flint, flat sided, barbed, and with a short thin tang. They are both most exact imitations of ancient weapons, and as such demand our censure.

Mr. Syer Cuming also read the following on ancient fibulæ, laid before the Association by Mr. W. H. Forman. "Taking the examples in chronological sequence, we first notice a rota-formed fibula of bronze, two inches in diameter, which may be compared, in some respects, to one engraved in the Journal. The frame (nine inches and one-sixteenth wide) is divided into an outer and inner circle, both having been filled with mosaic enamel, now much ruined. The centre is crossed by a thin bar having a ring in the middle, the socket doubtlessly of a prominent ornament like that in the trinket just referred to. The acus was hinged between staples, and its point received in a broad hasp or catch, perforated in a similar way to the example last mentioned. Another feature to notice is an annulet projecting from the edge of the verge, resembling that on the Silchester fibula, given also in the Journal. Such annulets are also seen on the pelta-formed examples from Northamptonshire, and sandal-shaped one engraved. To these little rings five chains or cords were in all probability attached, by which the trinkets were secured to the garments of the wearers.

"Roman fibulæ of bronze are common, those of gold and silver extremely rare, but among the specimens produced is a circular brooch of

This man went by a variety of cognomina,-"Skin and Grief," "Fossil Willy," "Snake Willy,' ," "Snake Jack,” and “Bag of Bones."

2 xvi, p. 270, fig. 2.

5 xvi, p. 271, fig. 4.

3

i, p. 147.

4

i, p. 327; iii, 25.

the latter metal, which seems to belong to the close of the Imperial regime. The frame is one inch and a half in diameter, and full a quarter of an inch wide, composed of an inner beading from which diverge thirtytwo ovate rays, between the base of each of which is stamped a leaflet. The silver acus is hinged in staples, and received in a hasp in true classic mode, and, however modern the trinket may at first sight appear to be, we cannot on consideration refuse to allow it a Roman origin.

"Of far more doubtful age and parentage is the third fibula, which partakes in some degree of a Roman type. It is of base silver, and may be described as a wire-edged crescent with a biped lizard in high relief on its field, and a boss on either horn; and beneath a stem, terminating in a third boss; from the hollow of the lunette springs the wire acus, which is received in a fold of metal at the back of the stem. The localities of the above fibulæ are lost, and the genuineness of the last specimen is not free from suspicion.

"The next group of trinkets introduces us to an entirely different class of fastenings, commonly known as Irish ring brooches, which also occur occasionally in Scotland. The specimens are three in number, and were formerly in the collection of the late Mr. John Huxtable, but their exact place of find is unrecorded. They are all of yellow bronze or rather brass. The largest consists of a penannular ring upwards of two inches and three-quarters across, annulated nearly throughout, like the ring of the brooch engraved in the Journal,' and has broad flat triangular terminations similar to those of the specimen from Limerick, but it has lost the enamels which once filled its sculped recesses. The decorated cylindrical head of the dealg or pin (five inches and a half long) may also be compared with the example last referred to, and likewise with another, of bronze, discovered in Roscommon, engraved in the Gent. Mag., June 1844, p. 561, the pin of which is seven inches and a quarter long. The other brooches have undivided circles, the lower half of each closed by a flat plate. The larger is two inches and one-eighth across, the lower moiety having two narrow apertures down the centre, and the broad indented verge surrounding triangular panels filled with snakelike coils. It has been set with four pieces of amber, but two of the round collets are empty. The pin is four inches in length, and its head is simply bent round the superior arc of the frame.

"The pendulous circle of the third brooch is considerably smaller than either of the other specimens, being little more than an inch across. The solid portion is sculptured with the oft-recurrent Runic knots, and has been set, but is now sine gemmis. The upper half is decorated with a cable pattern, and the pivot on which the pin (four inches and threequarters long) works has swelling sides, like those of the Irish brooch given in the Journal, and of the example from Dunipace, in Wilson's

1

V, p. 118.

2 iii, p. 285.

3

VV, p. 116.

Prehistoric Annals of Scotland, p. 530. It is worthy of mention, that on the back of the brooch before us is a little loop, by which it may have been attached to the dress.

"The trinket latest in date is the most novel and interesting of the series under review. It is of a lozenge form, two inches and a half from point to point; consisting of a plaque of silver decorated with filigrane of the same metal. The verge has a bead and cable edging, and is filled with twenty-nine ovals, a small disc being placed on each outer angle, and a rosette and loop at each inner corner. In the centre of the field is a double circle surrounding a rosette of seven leaves, with pearl-shaped umbo. The tongue and hasp are lost, but the two staples between which the former moved remains, and are five-eighths of an inch asunder, so that the pivot must have been of a peculiar fashion to fit these widely separated supports. Though this trinket is undoubtedly genuine, and unspoiled by the hand of the renovator, there is some difficulty in determining its precise date, as filigrane much resembling that on its front, is seen on gold and silversmith's work from the twelfth to the close of the fourteenth century. Few lozenge-shaped fibulæ are met with among the personal ornaments of the classic era, and they are rarely seen in mediæval times until the fourteenth century, when the morse of the ecclesiastic, and button and brooch of the laity were of this contour; and I am therefore inclined to assign this curious trinket to this period, willing, however, to wave my own notion on the matter if valid proof can be adduced of an earlier origin."

Mr. Cuming laid before the meeting some leathern vessels in addition to those exhibited and described by him in former numbers of the Journal. They consisted of an old borachio, made of stout prepared hide, sewed up on one side and at the bottom, the aperture being furnished with a mouth of turned horn with screw cover and key of the same substance, for the removal of a screw plug. This vessel is somewhat flask-shaped, and will hold a full half-gallon of liquid; it offers a good illustration of the portable wine-skin.

It is ex

A conic vessel, eleven inches and a half high, flat at the back and convex in the front, where it is double stitched, as is likewise the case with about half of the base, measuring seven inches across. hibited by Dr. Iliff, and is constructed of very stout hide, bound round the mouth with dull red leather. Into this mouth is fitted a perforated stopper of turned wood, five inches and three-eighths long, to be removed when the skin is to be filled, but when it is to be emptied a small peg is withdrawn from the apex, which permits the liquor to flow out. A broad leathern belt with square iron buckle enables this curious vessel to be carried about the person.

A costrel of the sixteenth century, belonging to Mr. Forman, much like 1 See vol. xv, p. 339, and xvii, p. 274.

those employed as armorial bearings by the Bottle Makers' Company, and which may also be compared with the gilded sign of Messrs. Hoare's Banking-house, Fleet-street. It was ten inches wide, rather above nine inches high, the front impressed with the device of a knot, and the square buttress on each side the neck perforated with a square hole for admission of the suspending strops or cords. This vessel was long preserved with other olden relics at Barrow Hall, Lincolnshire.

Lord Boston exhibited a remarkable leathern vessel discovered about a century since buried in sand, five or six miles from Amlwch on the north-eastern side of Anglesey. It bears resemblance to a singular-shaped costrel of the time of Elizabeth, found at St. Ann's Well, near Nottingham, and known as "Robin Hood's Pocket Pistol." 2 The present example (see plate 15, fig. 2), is nineteen inches in length, the mouth, like the one from Nottingham, projecting from the globose butt, whilst three broad imitation bands seem to secure the barrel to the stock, on either side of which is a mimic lock. From beneath the butt and first band are projecting pieces, looking like the suspending loop and trigger, but perforated for the admission of a cord by which the costrel could be worn on the person or hung to the saddle-bow of the traveller and huntsman, for that it was designed for their service will scarcely admit of doubt; and the rarity of the type would suggest the idea that it was made for an individual of no mean rank. That hunting costrels of this material were employed by the patrician order as late as the reign of Charles II, is apparent from the words of a song in praise of "The Leather Bottèl," printed in The Antidote to Melancholy, 1682.

"There's never a lord, an earl, or knight,

But in this bottle doth take delight;

For when he's hunting of the deer,

He oft doth wish for a bottle of beer."

Mr. Cuming exhibited sketches of two fine old bombards, now preserved at Knole House, Kent, one measuring fifteen inches in height, and twelve inches diameter at the base, the other sixteen inches high and eleven at the base. These dimensions are, however, exceeded by examples in the collections of Mr. Forman and Mr. Adams, which measure respectively, seventeen inches and a half, nineteen inches and threequarters, and twenty-five inches in height, and have been exhibited to the association.

Mr. Cuming has recently obtained a great black jack or little bombard, whichever it is to be called, which he now exhibited. It is rather more than nine inches in height, and about four inches three-eighths diameter at the base; the upper edge squeezed into a slight lip in front,

1 Journal, xvii, p. 276, fig. 2.

Figured in the Journal, vol. xvii, plate 26, fig. 3, and described p. 276.

and the stout loop-handle at the back, firmly stitched on either edge, making it strong, hard, and enduring as oak, seeming to justify the old and oft repeated adage that "There is nothing like leather."

Mr. C. H. Luxmoore exhibited a singular razor, apparently of the time of Elizabeth or James I, lately exhumed near the Manor-house, Larkhall-lane, Clapham. The metal portion is nearly six inches and three-quarters long, and consists of a broad backed steel blade, with long tail composed of a back and one side of brass filled with lead. The round handle with its semi-ovate butt, six inches and one-eighth long, is wrought of ebony and decorated with brass studs and circlets.

The Rev. C. H. Hartshorne sent a further communication in illustration of the domestic manners in the reign of Edward I (See Journal, pp. 213-220, ante.

JUNE 11.

JAMES COPLAND, M.D., F.R.S., V.P., IN THE CHAIR.

J. H. Heal, Esq., of Grass Farm, Finchley, and Samuel Heywood, Esq., 4, College Green, Bristol, were elected associates.

Thanks were given for the following presents:

To the Author. Isca Silurum: an Illustrated Catalogue of the Caerleon Museum. By J. E. Lee. 1861. 8vo.

To the Society. Proceedings of the Royal Society. No. 49. 8vo. 1862. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Vol. iii. Part iii. Edinb., 1862. 4to.

To A. Sim, Esq. Biggar, and the House of Fleming By Wm. Hunter. Biggar, 1862. 8vo.

To the Publisher.

Gentleman's Magazine for June 1862. 8vo.

The chairman announced that information had been forwarded to the council that, on the 8th March, a Roman coffin of lead was discovered by a weaver named Buckmaster whilst digging in his garden, No. 13, Camden Gardens, Bethnal Green. It was met with at a depth of about four feet from the surface; and though, to all appearance, perfect when first exposed, suffered considerable damage in the careless efforts made for its removal. It seems to be much less ornamented than some of the leaden cists already described in this Journal (ii, 297; ix, 161; xiv, 355), the sides being quite plain, and the ends having an X-like figure flanked by uprights. Its dimensions are,-length, five feet ten inches; width at head, one foot four inches; at feet, one foot two inches; depth about ten inches. This loculus was nearly filled with lime, through which portions of the human remains were visible. Distinct traces of lime have also been noticed on the interior of other leaden cists of the Roman