Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/316

 236 NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, some remarkable objects of terra-cotta deserve especial notice, one of them apparently a thuribuhim, or vase for burning perfume, of singular form, strikingly resembling that of some early baptismal fonts in England ; it might be conjectured that their design had been copied from some such pro- totype. The height of this curious little vessel is about four inches. The "Borough Field" at Chesterford, the supposed site of Iceanum, had long been celebrated for discoveries of ancient remains, including ornaments of gold of great value. Mr. Neville has not had the fortune to disinter objects of this precious nature, but his collection is rich in Jictilia, bronzes, imple- ments and various interesting relics of Roman date. The bronze armilla and volsellcB, with the ear-pick ajipended, as here shewn, are from Chester- ford. In excavations prosecuted by Mr. Neville, near Hadstock, a flute, formed of two pieces of bone, was found with Roman coins, remains of tessellated pavement, " Samian " ware, &c. We believe that such a musical instrument is an object of unusual rarity in this country. Mr. Neville's second publication relates chiefly to discoveries made in tumuli. He records a fresh and remarkable instance of the deposit of a large quantity of bronze celts and spear-heads, at Elmdon, with lumps of fused metal, giving rise to the conjecture that these curious implements had been in course of manufacture at that spot. The thuribulum, here repre- sented, was found with cinerary urns in a barrow near Royston : it is per- forated at irregular intervals all around : vessels of this type are very un- common, one only, resembling this, has been found in Wiltshire. Mr. Neville notices an interesting discovery of Roman remains at Arkesden, in Essex, comprising specimens of Samian and other antique wares, and a most curious terra-cotta flgure, three inches high, apparently symbolical of plenty or fecundity, representing a female holding an infant in each hand. It was possibly an ex voto ; De Caumont has engraved a similar figure, found in France, and the symbol appears on the reverses of Roman coins. During the winter months of last year Mr. Neville prosecuted his research at the " Borough Field" with much success : about the same time a memorable discovery of Roman coins was made during railway excavations ; in the bronze patella, or strainer, here figured, were found coins : a skeleton lay near this deposit, with an urn, containing several First brass coins of Trajan. The remains of a later age, described and represented in Mr. Neville's work, portions of armour disinterred near Hildersham castle, have been previously noticed in our "Archaeological Intelligence^." The plan of a Roman villa, with a tessellated pavement, and vestiges of a structure of considerable importance, form an interesting feature of the " Sepulchra Ex- posita." We understand that of late Mr. Neville has been again most indus- triously and successfully occupied in the disentombment of another Roman villa at Chesterford, and we hope that he will renew also his literary la- bours, and record with the like accuracy and intelligence the results of his researches.
 * See page 227 of tliis volume.