Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, fyc. 



257 



Those which follow represent the two faces of that of pier C, on the outer 

 column, and are equally remarkable in their character. 



The base of the column on pier A is sufficiently shown in the general view. 



The bases of the piers on the north side of this archway present an equal 

 variety of device with those on the south, as 

 will be seen in the following illustrations, of 

 which the first represents the base of the in- 

 nermost pier, or that opposite pier A in the 

 plan. Dr. Ledwich gives a representation of 

 a portion of the sculpture on this base, as a 

 specimen of what he calls " Runic knots, 

 composed of the segments of circles, their 

 arcs and chords intersecting each other." And 

 he adds that, " There is scarcely a carved 

 stone, cross, or other remnant of antiquity, during the time of the Danish 

 power, but exhibits a knot of some kind." But, what proof is there that such 



knots or figures are Runic ? A single Runic inscription has never yet been 

 found in Ireland; and the interlaced traceries, which he calls Runic, are found 

 VOL. xx. 2 L 



