Transactions. 211 



collection. In form and material this specimen so closely resembles 

 a common Irish type that I have doubts about its being Scotch. 

 It measures 'ih inches in length, and has been formed from a large 

 flake of almost even thickness, with a smooth fracture on each face, 

 thus rendering surface chipping unnecessary. The edges, however, 

 are finely worked. This specimen stands alone among the Scottish 

 specimens in the Museum both as regards form, size, and material, 

 but is matched by many from Ireland which are in the collection. 



BRONZE IMPLEMENTS. 



The commonest and best known implements of the Bronze 

 Age in Scotland are (1) the axes, which are divided according to 

 form, into (a) flat, (d) flanged, (c) winged, (d) socketed ; (2) daggers 

 and rapier-shaped blades ; (3) javelin, lance, and spear heads ; and 

 (4) leaf-shaped swords. 



The flat axes are looked upon by all archaeologists as the 

 earliest, and are considered to have been modelled on the form of 

 the earlier stone axe. The flanged axe holds a position midway 

 between the flat and the winged varieties, in many instances 

 resembling the latter so much that it is often difiicult to distin- 

 guish between them. Many of the flanged and most of the winged 

 axes are further distinguished by the presence of a transverse stop- 

 ridge, apparently for the purpose of preventing the implements 

 entering too far into its handle when in use. 



The winged axes, which are often called pahtm^es, diff'er from 

 those of the second variety only in having " shorter flanges, com- 

 bined with a greater amount of lateral expansion." Many of these 

 winged axes are further provided with a loop on one side in the 

 same plane with the blade. 



The socketed axes, or those which are cored to receive the 

 handle, are with good reason considered to be the latest form of 

 all. This variety is rarely found without a loop at one side for 

 greater security in attachment to the handle. Dr John Evans, our 

 highest authority on bronze implements, speaking of the evolution 

 of the forms of axes, says : " A gradual development can be traced 

 from the flat celt, through those with flanges and wings, to the 

 palstave form, with the wings hammered over so as to constitute 

 two semi-circular sockets, one on each side of the blade ; while on 

 certain of the socketed celts flanges precisely similar to those of the 

 palstaves have been cast by way of ornament on the sides, and what 



