Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/89

 the shoulders to a diameter of 13 inches; from the shoulders the lip is curved inwards, It appears to contain ashes, calcined bones, and vitrified stones, indicating the intense heat of the funeral pyre. This urn is in the possession of Mr. James M. Goudie, Lerwick, as is also a large steatite vessel found at Burra, which was probably used as a cinerary urn, as it was said when discovered to have contained ashes. It is square in shape, with slightly sloping sides, and has the corners rounded off; some portions of the top are broken away. It measures 14 inches square and is 5 inches deep, the thickness varying from ¾ inch to 1¼ inches. On the top, as if for a cover, was also found a curious triangular implement of clay slate, the sides measuring about 12 inches and the thickness being about half an inch. Two of the corners are rounded off, and between them an opening has been cut at a slight angle for a hand-grip. The two sides from the point have been chipped to make the edge