Transactions. 67 



wide, and groined in two divisions. The arched portion of 

 the doorway is filled in with a t3anpaniuin, which, as well as 

 the jambs and arch mould, is profusely decorated, the former 

 with heraldic beai'ings. the latter with foliage. 



The roof of the Chancel was well worthy of the 

 magnificent objects beneath. The groining corbels, eight 

 in number, were richly ornamented with shields bearing 

 the arms of the house of Douglas, but it is to be regretted 

 that they are now all undecipherable, with the excep- 

 tion of that on the north side next the doorway, on which 

 can still be traced the arms of the Earl of Athol, and 

 the motto — " Firth Fortune fill the fetters." In the whole of 

 the groining appendages the filleted roll is the prevalent 

 moulding, and more particularly in the shaft and ribs. Several 

 of the highest courses of the latter are in an uncompleted 

 state, for in many instances the mouldings are simply roughed 

 out, showing clearly that the groining was never entirely 

 completed. Above the groining there has evidently been a 

 wooden floor, for there still remain six corbels on each side 

 with corresponding voids behind which have apparently served 

 as rests for the wooden girders of a double floor. Above this 

 again was an ogee-shaped vault of stone, the lower jJortion 

 of which still exists, and which was complete Avlien Grosce 

 visited the Abbey in 1789. Surmounting this second vault- 

 ing was the roof proper, composed of wood covered with lead 

 or zinc. Access to the apartment thus formed above the 

 Church was got by a circular staircase, the casing to which 

 may still be seen between the Chancel and Transept, and 

 from which there are doorways to the Nave and to the rood 

 screen. The excessive care shown by the double vaulting 

 suggests the use of the upper as a store for valuables or 

 library. There is, however, no instance of a similar use for 

 such rooms, and it is thus impossible to do anything more 

 than hazard a conjectiire in this instance. 



The staircase is filled up with debris to a much 

 higher level than the Transept or the surrounding ground, 

 the door to the former being nearly covered up inside, 



