Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/548

 378 ON THE USE OF BRONZE CELTS I also introduce in the same wood-cut the reduced repre- sentation of another remarkable form, which seems to be applicable in the same view of this subject. Count Caylus, to whom I have already referred for proofs that these imple- ments are no less commonly found in France than in England, also informs us that they are to be reputed among the anti- quities of Italy. ^ Among seven, which he had obtained from Herculaneum, he describes and figures one of a remarkable form, which was 2 decimetres (nearly 8 inches) long, not- withstanding the abrasion of its edge. (See the wood-cut, in which I have represented by a dotted line what I suppose to have been the original edge.) It has on its sides two horns, the points of which are directed towards its edge.^ These horns seem exactly adapted to assist in drawing- it back whenever it became fixed between the stones of a wall. The annexed wood-cut represents, a little less than the original, a very fine celt of Mr. Du Noyer's fifth class, which was lately presented to this Institute by Mr. William English. It was found in the bed of the Thames near Wandsworth. Besides its elegant form and decoration, it is remarkable for the position of the loop, the bore of which is parallel to the axis of the celt, instead of being at right angles to it, as is the case in all other celts which I have seen. The dimensions of this beautiful object are as follows : Length of celt, 1 2 centimetres (= 4f inches). Width of its edge, 4.4 centimetres (= 1| inches). Diameter at the top, 3.7 centimetres (= If inches). " It ha.s been asserted, that bronze colts are never found in ItJily. 1 believe the occurrence of them in Italian cabinets is comparatively rare. But in confirmation of the statement of Caylus I may mention, that in the collection belonj^inj; to the Music tie PA rtillcric at Paris, there are five from Naples and one from Corsica. The colts in this collection, "25 or 26 in number, arc all of the common form, i.e., belonging to Mr. Du Noyer's 4th and 5th classes. XCIV., fig. 2, and pages 318, 321, 333. In the above-mentioned collection of
 * Recueil d'Antiquites, tom. ii., Plate