230 KtJiIMERIDGE COAL-MONtlY. 



in the opinion of Mr. "Way and other competent antiquaries i« 

 made of shale, our Gallic friends consider to be of ebony^ 

 *'un cofiret d' ebene." It is about 3-in. in depth when shut, 

 and consists of two parts, the receptacle and its cover. The 

 former is 2i-in. in depth, and rather less than 4-in. in diameter; 

 the latter is f-in. in depth and 4^-in. in diameter, it is much 

 decomposed. This cm-ious relic was found in 1826 in the 

 tsoarse of excavations in the Roman cemetery at Brequerecque, 

 and it contained 19 small brass coins of Constantino and his 

 sons,, a bracelet, and an ear-ring. 



** I am quite of your opinion that under the general denomi- 

 nation of jet, for which this island is reported to have enjoyed 

 a high celebrity, ancient historians very probably included 

 ai-ticles made of Kinmieridge shale, from its great resemblance 

 to jet, properly so called. And if the numerous objects in jet 

 to be met with in public collections were to be strictly ex- 

 amined, I doubt not that their true nature would in some 

 instances be more correctly ascertained. In the Museum of 

 the Dublin Academy there are numerous articles in jet, which 

 it were desirable to examine with especial reference to this 

 point. In the Museum of Antiquities at Edinburgh there are 

 armillsB of a bituminous substance resembling jet, but which 

 «Te possibly formed of shale. In the Museum at York, are 

 amulets of jet and an armilla decidedly of Kimmeridge shale; 

 and there are also two very remarkable ornaments, the one in 

 jet, the other in shale, consisting of two small medallions, 

 about l^in. in diameter, with heads most exquisitely carved 

 in relievo, perfect gems of ancient art." 



JOHN H. AUSTEN. 



