Traiisactions. 49 



separated from the shoulder by the stroke of a stone celt or 

 axe, a fragment of which still remained in the bone ; the celt 

 had been made of greenstone, similar to many that have been 

 found in various places in Scotland. In the same cairn was 

 found a ball of highly polished flint three inches in diameter, 

 and the head of an arrow also of flint. 



No. 9 are specimens of adder beads or bead stones, numbers 

 of which have been found in this district. Of their use various 

 opinions have been given ; one plausible theory is that they 

 may have formed the collar of honour of some old barbarian 

 chief, as they are frequently found in considerable quantity 

 by the side of male skeletons in cairns. 



Tliere are many unopened tumuli, supposed to be of this 

 period, in the moors m Kirkmahoe, the examination of which 

 might employ some of our summer excursions. 



The Bronze Period in Dumfriesshire and Galloway has 

 furnished many fine specimens, viz. celts, swords, spear-heads, 

 rings, tripods, etc. etc. 



The celt No. 5 was found on removing the foundation of 

 one of the arches of the old bridge of Dumfries. 



No. 6 was found in the parish of Closeburn. 



No. 7 was found in Durisdeer parish. 



The general characteristics of these partake more of car- 

 pentering tools than weapons of war, or they may have been 

 employed in destroying fortifications. 



The bronze tripods Nos. 8, 9, 10, are examples of the 

 many fine specimens that have been found in Dumfriesshire. 

 A very fine one was found lately in forming the Dumfries 

 and Lockerby Eailway, on which a rude attempt had been 

 made to mend a hole in the bottom. This one, as well as 

 many more found in Dumfriesshire, was taken by the 

 authorities and sent to the Edinburgh museum. 



Nos. 11, 12, are twelve very fine bronze spears, found on 

 the farm of Drumcoultern, parish of Kirkguneon, belonging 



E 



