207 
On the Saxon Cross at Bewcastle a dial of that period is 
represented, and the date may probably be fixed to the end of the 
seventh century. 
Ancient dials are often found walled up in churches which have 
undergone alteration or restoration in medieval times.* They 
are of a very simple character, and seem only to have been con- 
structed to mark the canonical hours, so that the services of the 
church might be regularly performed. Many of them of an early 
period exist in Ireland, and drawings of some are given in the 
Archeological Journal. At Inish Caltra, or Holy Island, in 
Lough Derg, in the graveyard of the old church, now in ruins, 
is one on the top of aslab measuring 5 feet in length by 16 inches 
in breadth, and intended to be placed erect in the ground. The 
upper portion of the stone has a semi-circle inscribed upon it, 
which is divided into four nearly equal spaces by five deeply-cut 
lines. Where these meet at the centre is a large hole intended to 
receive the gnomon of wood. This being shaped to a point, 
threw a slender shadow on the semi-circle below. 
Each of the straight lines have lateral branches where they 
touch the circle. The hours denoted are— 
A.M. P.M. 
6 Matins. 22 Tierce. 
: 63 Lauds. 5 Compline. 
8? Nones. 6 Vespers. 
12. Noon. 
_- A dial of a similar structure was found in the old graveyard of 
the church of Kilmalkedar, Co. of Kerry ; and another from the 
old church at Clone, Co. Wexford, has ten radiating lines 
marked on the semi-circle below the horizontal line. 
I feel assured from what I have myself seen in different 
* See Tower of Saxon church at Bernack, Northants, and 
Swillington, Yorks. 
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