Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/111

Rh "Calchvynydd Hen ab Enir Vardd was the first who made lime. And it first happened in this way; having formed a bread-oven under his hearth with stones, the stones broke all to pieces by the force of the fire. He cast them away, and the rain first reduced them into dust, and afterwards into mortar, which became much hardened by the weather; and with some of that lime he white-washed his house: hence his name . Llywarch ab Calchvynydd was the first who made walls with stone and lime." Genealogy of lestin ab Gwrgant.

Mr. Way exhibited a singular pavement-tile, which was found amongst the ruins of Ulverscroft Priory, in Charnwood Forest, near Mount-Sorrel, Leicestershire. Mr. Henry Stanley, who communicated this example of the Decorated tiles fabricated in the fourteenth century, states, that an accumulation of soil, to the depth of from three to five feet, now covers the floor of the ancient church: the principal remains consist of the tower, and the southern wall, with three beautifully sculptured sedilia, and three large windows. The tile seems to have formed a part of a set of signs of the zodiac, and presents a figure of the ram, with the inscription, and in the angles appear traces of letters, apparently. . which may relate to the month of March, in which the sun enters into that sign. The zodiac, and emblematical representations of the months of the year by the ordinary occupation of each successive season, were frequently introduced in sculpture, painting, and other decorations. The curious pavement in Canterbury cathedral, composed of a kind of coarse mosaic work, affords a remarkable example: the ram is one of the figures still to be seen there. A curious set of decorative tiles, representing the months, and signs of the zodiac, existed in the chancel of Bredon church, Worcestershire.

Communications were submitted by Mr. John Butler, of Chichester, and Mr. Edward Richardson, regarding mural paintings, which have recently been discovered in Kirdford church, near Petworth; several figures of large size have been brought to light, and in some parts traces may be distinguished of painting executed at three several periods, covering the surface of the wall in three successive layers. Similar discoveries have been made in Lavant church, and it is much to be desired, that if these and similar mural paintings cannot be preserved, careful drawings should at least be made before they are plastered over and again concealed.

The Rev. Henry Ollard, of Didsbury College, Manchester, laid before