252 Excavations at Lochrutton Lake-Dwelling. 



The sheep bones must be attributed to the ancient slender 

 legged sheep, and not to any of the modern breeds. 



The horse represented was a small animal of about loh to 

 II hands. The only long bone of the limbs present is a meta- 

 carpal, which is not broken, and in the absence of any of the 

 other bones broken like the ox bones, it is not possible to say 

 whether the horse like the ox had been used for food. 



I have now recorded the facts disclosed by the explorations, 

 and they are respectfully submitted to the judgment of anti- 

 quaries competent in such matters. Having seen and as it 

 were handled the facts, however, it may be useful to indicate 

 the impressions I have formed of them. 



The Structure. 



Referring to the super-imposed works, I would suggest that 

 the raised stage, H.H., may be the basal part of a dividing 

 structure separating the area into two unequal courts, the opening 

 J in it being the gate or entrance to the more important division. 

 The group of morticed beams or sleepers, F and G, and tenoned 

 uprights, bisecting the dividing structure, is evidently, I think, 

 remains of a wooden house, it may be a guard-room, tower, or 

 dwelling, the length probably 20 feet, partitioned into two 

 apartments. 



The bed of stones covering the log pavement is a peculiarity. 

 It seems to have been about 3 feet in depth. The breakwater of 

 stones surrounding the island is also a notable feature. 



If we compare this island with other Scottish crannogs in- 

 vestigated, it is found that it coincides, generally at least, as re- 

 gards the constructive principles. The author of "Ancient Scot- 

 tish Lake-Dwellings" indicates two prominent characterising 

 features of such structures, viz., (i) upright piles in the form of 

 one or more circles, and (2) the remains of flat beams containing 

 large square cut holes at their extremities. 



In this instance the first of these features has not been 

 observed, although originally it may have existed. Of the 

 second, the remains are meagre, but sufficient, I think, to prove 

 conformity. And there are other evidences of agreement, 

 such as the use of wood logs as the main element in the 

 construction, the peculiar disposition of the logs in groups, the 



