52 
From the above list it will be gathered that on the strength of the 
Gaelic derivations, all the twenty-three stations are placed actually 
on the wall, ie., between Wallsend and Bowness, the apparent 
inference being that the Wall in itself was a perfect military barrier ; 
whilst according to the Cymric derivation, only eighteen have been 
placed actually on the Wall, the superfluous names being placed at 
the mouth of the Tyne; the apparent inference here being that 
the Wall was zo¢ a perfect barrier, but that its weak point was at 
the mouth of the Tyne. 
The question then is, Was the Wall in itself a perfect barrier, or 
was it not? and if not, where was its weak point? We should 
have no hesitation in allowing that it was wot a perfect barrier, as 
indeed a mere glance at the map would show. Are we then to 
cast a reflection on the builder of the Wall? Granted that Hadrian 
planned and carried out the building of this mighty Wall—-whose 
remains still speak eloquently of its former grandeur—we must 
allow that so great a master mind would certainly grasp the weak- 
ness of the situation, and guard against a possible outflanking of 
the Wall, by including a series of camps whose garrisons should 
effectually prevent such a thing taking place, or at least, render it 
exceedingly difficult of accomplishment if attempted. That the 
danger was real we have abundant proof in the appearances 
presented by the camps at Maryport (Celt, Roman, and Saxon, 
p. 452), Ribchester (did p. 211), Papcastle C. and W. Antig. 
Soc. Jour., pt. 2, vol. 3, p. 342), and other places, for when they 
have been explored, abundant traces of fire were everywhere 
evident. 
Thus, at a very early date there was an absolute necessity for a 
series of forts or camps on the west, the object of which was the 
prevention of the outflanking of the Wall by the Picts and Scots, 
who were ever ready to take any advantage that might arise. It is 
also certain that there was a series of camps to protect the eastern 
extremity of the Wall; but the necessity for such apparently 
occurred only at a much later period, i.e. when the Saxon pirates 
commenced their periodical descents on the coast. To check 
their ravages was the duty of the Comes littoris Saxonici (Warden 
