Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/385

Rh the bead appears almost black, but, when held to the light, it is found to be a beautifully clear deep green glass; the surface of it is richly varied with splashes of white enamel mixed with blue, radiating from the centre and slightly contorted, particularly on the under side. The enamel penetrates some distance into the substance of the glass, and appears to have been thrown on to the mass while in a soft state; it was then probably slightly twisted and its globular form flattened down between two plain surfaces. It is not perforated, and there is only a very slight depression in the centre. Another bead of similar character was found near Adderbury, in the same county, and is engraved in Beesley's History of Banbury. It was discovered in the bed of a stream which flows near the British camp of Madmarston. The dimensions of it are rather larger than the annexed example: it is formed of the same clear green glass, and likewise marked with enamel, but the surface not so much covered. It is also imperforate and depressed in the centre. The Adderbury bead was formerly in the collection of the present Dean of Westminster, by whom it was deposited in the Ashmolean Museum.

In addition to the one just mentioned, the Ashmolean Museum contains a curious series of beads which belonged to the original collection of Elias Ashmole, or to those added by Dr. Plot. The localities where they were found are not mentioned. Among them is one very similar to the Adderbury bead, but perforated, and measuring 2$7⁄8$ inches in diameter. The body of this is not of the same fine green as the two already described, but is more like the common modern bottle-glass; the markings are of white and blue enamel, similar to those of the others.

There are also two other imperforate beads or balls, one of which, measuring 2$1⁄8$ inches in diameter, is of a smoke-coloured glass, looking almost black when not held to the light. This is ornamented with fourteen lines of white enamel, radiating in a spiral manner from the centre. The other is 1$1⁄2$ inch in diameter, of a light brown glass, and ornamented with the radiating lines the same as the last, but in this some of the lines are red.

Among the perforated beads are many curious varieties and great diversity in the colour of the glass, but there are none entirely colourless, though some approach nearly to it. Some of the enamelled specimens are curious, being formed of concentric layers of different colours: the facets are cut across these, and thus produce a variety of waved lines. Another has an imitation of stones of different colour being set in studs on its surface, and a third is ornamented with small raised and twisted cord-work. Indeed the whole collection, from the diversity in form, material, colour and design which it exhibits, is well deserving of a careful examination."

We are indebted to Mr. J. O. Westwood for the annexed representations of some interesting sculptured remains preserved in the museum of the Literary and Philosophical Institution of Bath, and considered by him as of Anglo-Saxon workmanship. Two of the most remarkable existing monu-