82 Transactions. 



nowadays are of the punning- kind, and we cannot help thinking 

 that they compare very unfavourably with the early allegorical 

 riddle. Many old riddles possess considerable antiquarian value. 

 Here, for instance, is an example which takes us back to the time 

 when the stone hand-mill was in use throughout our land : — 



As I gaed ower the heather hill 



I met the bull of Beverlin, 



I dashed his heid against a stane, 



White as milk cam' back again. 

 Ans. — Corn ground between two stones. 



This interesting example, taken down from the dictation of a hill 

 shepherd in Kirkcudbrightshire, appears to be somewhat defective 

 in form, but I have not felt at liberty to alter, as variations in 

 form are in themselves interesting- and valuable. Here is a riddle 

 which is evidently contemporaneous with the old pack-horse 

 days : — 



What is't that gangs across the water, an' across the water, wi' the 



braid side foremost ? 



Ans. — A lade o' meal on a horse's back. 



Nobody thinks of placing- a bag of meal on a horse's back nowa- 

 days, but at one time not only meal but coals, and indeed most 

 domestic commodities, were carried in this fashion. A large pro- 

 portion of riddles are of a distinctively domestic character. Thus, 

 the fire and fireplace, the tongs, the kettle, the girdle, the candle, 

 the besom, have all at one time or another exercised the ing-enuity 

 of the riddle maker. Here is a very concise example : — 



What's red below, black in the middle, and white abune ? 

 Ans. — A girdle of scones on the fire. 



The fire, of course, is red, the girdle black, and the scones white. 

 Take another example of this class : — 



Twa lang legs, nae body, and ae heid ? 

 Ans. — The tongs. 

 Some may demur to the description " nae body," but it is strictly 

 accurate, for most early examples of tongs consist of legs and 

 head only. Finally, see what imagination can do for a " tallow 

 dip." This is how a candle is described : — 



Jenny wi' the white petticoat and the red nose, 

 The langer she stands the shorter she grows. 



We have seen that the asking of riddles was practised in Bible 

 times, and it is interesting to observe that many old riddles are 

 more or less Biblical in character. Take the following :— 



