Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/265

 THE AUCIfAEOLOGICAL IXSTITIITE. 197 smaller size ; and this again is covered by a semi-globular lid, iipon which is screwed a gilt ball, as a finial, pierced with holes like the top of a caster. There is no opening, however, from the lower part into this ball. The height of the whole is 7^ inches. It appears probable that this pyramidal arrangement was intended to receive several kinds of condiment, the date of fabrication, as Mr. Morgan stated, appears to be 1.008 ; the year mark is the florid capital A. The other stamps arc— the lion passant — leopard's head crowned— and two crescents, one within the other. The exterior is ornamented with bands and foliated patterns engraved. This piece of plate appears to be identical with the object bequeathed, in lo'J6, by John Stafford, described as a " double salt, with a pepper-bo. at the cnd."^ A similar salt, found concealed in the earth at Woodhouse, near Ashton, Lancashire, was exhibited in the museum of the Institute at the York meeting ; and a third, in their museum at the Norwich Meeting. A similar piece of plate is described, Gent. Mag. vol. xxiii., p. 13G. By Mr. Brackstuxe. — A numerous collection of arrow-heads of silex, found in Ireland, chiefly near Armagh, with one having very long barbs, described as of basalt, found in the county of Antrim. This selection served admirably as an illustration of the progressive varieties in form, pre- sented by these primeval weapons, as set forth in Mr. Dunoyer's remarks on their classification.^ The chief variations in type were one of lozenge form, from Armagh (compare Dunoyer, fig. 0), much broader and less elon- gated in proportion than that there given ; and a i-emarkable rectangular specimen, of which a representation is here given ; this, as far as we are aware, is unique. One side, as usually the case in objects of this nature, is much flatter than the other ; it is most skilfully fabricated of horn-coloured silex. Also, a remarkable assemblage of bronze celts, of various rare types ; one of them elaborately engraved with herring-bone and zig-zag ornaments ; another with the sides diagonally grooved. These curious specimens had been recently obtained in Ireland. By Mr. Bernhard Smith. — A bronze spear-head, formed with a socket to receive the haft, to which it was affixed by a lateral rivet. It was found, with a considerable deposit of broken weapons of bronze, in 1835, on the south-east side of the Wrekin, Shropsliire, near some sepulchral mounds at the Willow Farm, on the road from Wellington to Little Wenlock. A single celt, and a few whetstones, lay with the heap. The various forms of these spear-heads are shown in Mr, liartshorne's " Salopia Antiqua," p. 96. The example exhibited measured nearly 8 inches in length, the greatest breadth of the blade being H nc. Also, a fine sword of Spanish work- manship, the hilt and porael of which is chased most elaborately, out of the Lozenge-shaped object, of Silex, found in Ireland. Orig. size. ' Coll. Top. and Geneal., vol. i. p. 144. VOL. VIII. s Archaeol. Journal, vol. vii., p. 283. D D