EOMAIi rOTTEBT. ^17 



lithological characters, which would seem to be the remnantf 

 of ancient buildings, and amongst them, three, which have 

 been hewn in the form of pillars or pedestals, tapering towards 

 the top, and measuring two feet six inches in height. Six 

 inches at the bottom is left rough, evidently intended for 

 insertion in the ground, so as to leave the exact height re- 

 quired at which the perforated floor of a kiln should b^ 

 supported. 



From the fact that these stones do not present any appear- 

 ance of having been exposed to the action of fire, I think it 

 probable tliat the space beneath was a hot-air chamber, 

 whence the heat was evenly distributed to the pottery which 

 was stacked above to be dried only, preparatory to being 

 baited in a clamp kiln. 



There are also two or three pieces of hard baked clay, an 

 inch, and an inch and a half in thickness, which appear to b© 

 fragments of perforated fire bricks, of which the floor of the 

 kiln may have been made. 



Another article wliich has been found at the Grange, is the 

 quern, or hand-mill for grinding com. It was an adjunct of 

 the Eoman kitchen, and has been frequently met with at 

 Roman sites, as at Aldborough, (the ancient Isurium,) in 

 Yorkshire, and at Bath, where several are preserved in the 

 Museum. A complete specimen has been also found at Poolo, 

 which consists of two stones precisely similar to those from 

 the Qrangfe. Pottery of the same character as the above, 

 occurs at Povington, associated with **Coal Money," as also 

 at Encombe and Kimmoridge. And at Ecclestone, in a mound 

 which was partially removed, some years since, were dis- 

 covered a quantity of clumps of clay, which bore the impres- 

 sion of the fingers during the process of moulding, cff 

 plastering down with the hands, the alternating layers of 

 day, in stacking the ware, preparatory to burning. 



Whether or not, the Romans carried on the manufacture 

 of Pottery in Purbeck to any great extent, the evidence which 



