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of these, an exquisitely turned curve forming part of tlie mouth 

 of a vase, is Httle more than sun-burned. This may possibly 

 indicate that the pottery was made in, or very close to, the city 

 itself; as they would hardly bring it in an unfinished state from 

 a distance. 



7. A number of jar-necks with handles attached, and other 

 parts of the same vessels, of a coarse ware, dark coloured inside, 

 but lightened on the surface to a cream colour by the burning. 

 These handles are invariably deeply grooved down the middle, 

 thus affording a better hold for the ball of the thumb in 

 pouring, than is the case with similar vessels made novr. 



These common bottles were often stopped with a bit of sponge, 

 which could be used to suck the fluid from, if a small quantity 

 only were required. The sponge used by the Centurion to give 

 the vinegar to our Saviour on the cross was doubtless one of 

 these bottle-sponges. 



8. A great abundance of the common black pottery made at 

 the Upchurch marshes in Kent. Most of the pieces bear a coarse 

 wattled or basket-pattern on the outer side, made by drawing 

 a stick across it in opposite directions. It would appear as 

 though this pattern had come down traditionally from the 

 earliest ages, when a basket lined with clay was used for 

 carrying water. The removal of the basket-work would of 

 course leave the marks as a pattern on the vessel ; and these 

 marks have been simply imitated, from one generation to an- 

 other. The scale on which the Romans worked the Upchurch 

 marshes must have been gigantic, as the broken debris extends 

 over an area of many miles ; in some parts to a depth of two or 

 three feet. The ware was probably exported as well as used for 

 home consumption. The ovlj perfect article of Upchurch pottery 

 I have found is a little jar or vase, about 4^ inches high. It has a 

 notch on each side of the rim, for attaching a string or wire by 

 way of handle ; and the marks of fire xvhitening its sides, shew 

 that it has been used for boiling. From its size it may have 

 served as an egg saucepan. 



9. Fragments of a bowl of whitish clay, having on its rim 

 spots put on with the tip of the finger dipped in a "slip" of red 

 clay. This ware was made in in the New Forest. 



