Field Meetings. 151 



some 740 feet, than to its isolated position and unique shape. 

 The peculiar configuration of Burnswark strikes the eye of every 

 passing traveller. It is an escarpment, or steep terraced hill, of 

 igneous origin, and is in contrast to the smoothly outlined hills 

 of the Silurian region to the north and west. These escarpments, 

 with their bands of volcanic rock, run eastward through Eskdale 

 to the head of Slitrig Water, and rise in Ewesdale to such 

 prominences as Pike Fell and Arkleton Fell. Specimens of 

 volcanic tuft were found on Saturday in a quarry to the south of 

 Burnswark. The ridge is intersected by a deep saddle-like 

 depression. The main camp lies along the base of the southern 

 slope, near to the east end, in the most sheltered situation. The 

 rectangular earthen ramparts and the deep fosse outside still 

 clearly shew its extent, which is three hundred yards in the one 

 direction and two hundred to the other. A slight eminence at 

 the north-east corner, within the camp, but partially isolated by 

 a second fosse, indicates no doubt the prfetorium, where the 

 general's tent would be pitched. Breaks in the earth-works on 

 the side next the hill, and in proximity to the low portion already 

 referred to, shew where the gates would stand, and mounds have 

 been thrown up outside for their protection. The dimen.sions 

 usually assigned for the fosse in Roman camps are nine feet deep 

 and twelve broad, and here these conditions seem very nearly 

 fulfilled. The spring, which was an indispensable requisite of 

 the situation, is near the centre of the camp. Its waters still 

 flow cool and abundant. The second camp occupies a correspond- 

 ing but more westerly position on the northern side of the hill. 

 While the lesser of the two, it is still of very extensive proportions. 

 It afforded security from attack on the north, effectually covering 

 the central depression in the hill, along which an enemy might 

 otherwise have approached the main camp. This was really the 

 only vulnerable point in the position. At the north-west and 

 north- east angles nature has provided the most perfect defence in 

 rocky walls so steep that no force would venture to scale them. 

 There was, indeed, a possibility of approach on the south side from 

 the western end, where there is a gentler slope ; and to meet this 

 contingency a subsidiary encampment, more nearly approaching 

 the semi-circular shape, had been constructed beside the piece of 

 plantation that neighbours Burnswark Cottage. This outpost 

 commanded also the Roman road carried from this point up 



