MELANDRA CASTLE. 97 



exactly similar. Other features of these two forts are worthy 

 of comparison. Each is of nearly the same area, with the same 

 number of entrances, similarly situated. The chief quarters, 

 too, occupy the most prominent position in each, and there is in 

 l)0th a conspicuous absence of stone buildings other than 

 those of official necessity. 



At Melandra, no' definite trace of a granary has yet been 

 discovered, but to the west of the praetorium one or two pilse of 

 a hypocaust have been found, though not in association ; and 

 near to them was a very curious " tiled floor," about a dozen 

 feet square, edged with halved roofing tiles, the rims of which 

 were turned upwards and in line. The enclosed space was 

 covered miscellaneously with small tiles, broken and whole, many 

 fragments of pottery, and the round segments of tiling that were 

 wont to protect the joints of the roof-tiles. The utility of this 

 curious floor is not yet made obvious. 



There are several traces of ovens within this fort : the tiles 

 forming the floor of one near the turret in the south corner show 

 particularly well the part reserved for the baking and that allotted 

 to the fire. Even the ashes, as raked out, remained in a pile close 

 at hand.* Other interesting finds of smaller objects, grindstones, 

 and the like, continue tO' be made. The area was drained by 

 the Romans after their usual manner, and their water-courses 

 are still most serviceable for carrying away the excess of rain 

 and spring water that constantly arises. 



Quantities of broken pottery of several kinds have been met 

 with, some of them interestingly maiked with hardly legible 

 graffiti. One type of pot, of black ware with round spout and 

 rim, and circular body of oval section, seems tO' be new to 

 Roman Britain. But all such points may be better dealt with 

 when the excavation is completed. 



Some of the land to the west of the fort, fomiing a terrace on 

 the brink of the slope which then descends to the river below, 



* Similar hearths have been found at the Saalburg. They may be con- 

 nected with the soldiers' tents, which have naturally left no definite traces. 

 (F. Maverfidd.) 



7 



