110 Transactions. 



formed Laramer of wliite quartz, mottled with red, 2| inches in 

 length by 1| inches in greatest breadth, presents the rare 

 peculiarity of an oval haft hole f by |-inch in diameter. 

 An axe-hammer found in the Moat of Duns Castle, and now 

 in the Duns Museum, also shows an oval haft-hole [Proceedings 

 Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. xxii. p. 384). Another 

 found in the Thames, is in the British Museum. It was 

 found on the farm of Slacks, Tinwald, and is very similar in 

 form to a beautiful specimen in the National Museum, and 

 which was found in Elginshire. The specimens comprised in the 

 second variety are characteristic of the southern counties of Scot- 

 land, and more especially the south-west. They are mostly formed 

 of diorite or other hard stone, and are thirteen in number. The 

 largest (23) is 12|^ inches in length by 4| inches in greatest 

 breadth, and has the haft-hole perforated from each side. It was 

 found at High Kilroy. The next largest (24), found at White- 

 hall, Kirkmahoe, is lOf inches in lengtla by 4| inches in breadth, 

 and has the haft-hole partially perforated from each face. Another 

 specimen (33) is 7 inches in length by 3J inches in greatest 

 breadth, and is said to have been found in removing a cairn of 

 stones at Auldgirth in 1862. A fourth specimen (25), 10| 

 inches in length by 4 J inches in greatest breadth, has the haft- 

 hole only slightly begun on one face. This hammer was found 

 at Greenhead, Closeburn. These large and heavy hammers do 

 not appear to be of such great age as those of the first variety 

 already described, never being found in association with any 

 remains of early date. The third variety, comprising tliose formed 

 mostly of waterworn pebbles, as already described, are most pro- 

 bably also of late date. Although classed as perforated hammers, 

 yet they may have served a variety of purposes — such as net- 

 sinkers, loom-weights, and last but not least, as old clock -weights. 

 Stone Ball. — The Museum also possesses a very fine, though 

 unfortunately imperfect, stone ball (38) carved in relief, with six 

 projecting discs or knobs. The ball is 2| inches in diameter, and 

 is formed of white quartz. It was found in Cree Moss, Wigtown- 

 shire. These stone balls are peculiar to Scotland, and are more 

 frequently met with in Aberdeenshire than in any other part of 

 the country. Their use is unknown. From the style of orna- 

 mentation on some of the specimens in the National Museum 

 they have been assigned to the Iron Age. A unique specimen of 



