12 REPORT OF THE 



qjiiefly of coins ; distin^ished indeed by their number, but not in 

 general by any great intrinsic value or rarity. Some however are 

 undoubted remains of Eboracum. The most interesting are a very 

 small portion of a vast hoard of Northumbrian Stycas, accidentally 

 discovered in the month of April last, by some workmen employed 

 in the erection of the De Grey Rooms, in St. Leonard's Place. 

 They had probably been enclosed in a wooden box and buried near 

 the foot of the rampart of the Roman Wall; but the wood had 

 perished, and the coins were at first scarcely to be distinguished from 

 the surrounding earth. As usual in such cases they quickly became 

 the prey of the workmen, and were dispersed. Several hundreds 

 have happily been recovered and rendered legible by the per- 

 severing zeal of Mr. John Browne. Of these an accurate descrip- 

 tive Catalogue, will, it is hoped soon be completed, containing 

 some very curious matter relating to this peculiar ancient coinage 

 of the North, to which in consequence of recent discoveries, 

 especially that at Hexham, the attention of Numismatists is now 

 earnestly directed. It is much to be wished that arrangements 

 could be made by which this portion of the hoard might be retained 

 in York, and deposited in the Museum, amongst the few relics of 

 " Eoferwic," where probably many of these coins were minted. 

 The original deposit is supposed to have contained more than 5000 

 Stycas, and appears to have been made later than that at Hexham, as 

 the series of kings extends lower, probably to the middle of the 

 ninth century. It is with sincere pleasure the Council have to 

 notice the publication by the Curator of this department, of the 

 result of his diligent researches into the history of Roman York, — 

 a work which was undertaken at the special request of the Council, 

 and which not only embodies, in lucid order, all the authentic in- 

 formation now attainable, regarding the traces of Roman sway in 

 " Eburacum," but sheds over many previously unconnected facts, the 

 light of extensive learning and philosophical reasoning. 



The different learned Societies continue to supply the Library 

 with their valuable Transactions ; and several other interesting works 

 have been presented to it. The Council cannot however but regret 

 the absence of many scientific Works, the want of which is severely 

 felt by the Curators of the several departments, during their labours. 



The Laboratory has been greatly improved under the manage- 



