Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/412

 311 BRONZE STEEL-YAKr» FOUNP WITH KOMAN REMAINS. .111(1 tens are licre separated by points, which stand for pouuds. X....V--X-- -V-- X--V- •••X ••••V---XXXX. A parcel of nearly donble this weight could bo weighed on this hook. The fault in these scales is the circumstance that the "weifjht is not ffiven in numbers on the scale ; but at each weighing there must be a fresh reckoning from the first mark, which renders the use of the instrument troublesome. This steel-yard must be especially regarded as a splendid specimen of iron-work, Mhich surprises even experts. Each piece — for instance, the hook for the weighing scale, with its points terminating in the heads of animals ; the hanging hooks with their moulded strengthening ribs, Sec, are carried out with a taste equal to their practical cleverness. When we consider that the Roman workman relied less on his very imperfect file than on the skilful use of his hammer, we are impressed with no less favourable notions of the handiwork of the llomans than we are by a study of their casting opera- tions. In conclusion, we will observe that, according to the esti- mation of experts, this steel-yard is fully equal to weighing from 200 to 2."j0 kilos. [The Institute is indebteil to the kindness of Mr. W. M. Wylio, F.S. A., for the foregoing translation of the memoir by their learned coitos- pondent at Zurich, of which the original was given in the " Indicateur " of Swiss antiquities.]