Transactions. 115 



edge, and is ornamented down each face by four slightly raised 

 vertical ribs. It has the usual loop found on the axes of tliis 

 type, and is very tinely patinated. The second socketed axe 

 found in Ayrshire (5), is of reddish bronze, and measures 3^- inches 

 in length by 2 inches across the cutting edge. 



Si)earheads. — Of these there are four specimens. The largest 

 (7) is of plain leaf-shape, 12| inches in length, and is slightly im- 

 perfect at the socket. It was found on the farm of Springfield 

 Hill, Dunscore. The second (8), which is more of the form known 

 as " Lancehead," measures 5 inches in length, and has a loop for 

 attachment to the shaft on opposite sides of the socket. It was 

 found at Spearford Bridge, Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire. 

 The third specimen (9) is also of lancehead form, and was found 

 at Bowhouse of Caerlaverock. It measures 5f inches in length, 

 with a loop on each side of the socket, and is imperfect at the point. 

 The fourth and last spearhead (10) has been originally about 6 

 inches in length, but it is now much broken and incomplete. It 

 was found with a flattish circular bronze ring (11), 2^ inches in 

 diameter, in the parish of Tinwald. 



Eajner-blades. — The three rapier-blades (12-14) in the collection 

 are part of a hoard of twelve or thirteen specimens found together 

 in the parish of Kirkgunzeou, Kirkcudbrightshire, about the year 

 18-iO. These and other three specimens are unfortunately all 

 tliat are now known to be in existence. In Dr Grierson's MS. 

 catalogue of his collection he states that he made drawings of all 

 the principal specimens at the time they were found. A search 

 among the doctor's papers by Mr J. R. Wilson for these drawings 

 has, however, met with no result. This is much to be regretted, 

 as this iind of weapons is one of the most important pertaining to 

 the Bronze Age in Scotland. Of the three specimens in the 

 Museum the largest is 15^ inches in length, the second 14^ inches, 

 while the third, which is imperfect at the point, is now only 8J 

 inches in length. All three are slightly imperfect at the butt 

 ends. These rapiei'-blades are not common in Scotland, the 

 National Museum in Edinburgh only possessing live, the largest 

 of which is only 12^ inches in length. One of the five in the 

 National Museum was found at Fairholm, Lockerbie. A 

 magnificent specimen of 30^ inches in length, and perfect, was 

 found in County Derry, Ireland. 



