a Re 
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245 
Blandford with so many treasures. The peculiar low broad space 
between the inner and the outer ditch, on the east side, indicated 
that the defenders trusted more to mechanical means of defence 
than to the height of the ramparts, for this was probably the 
platform for their engines of warfare, their balliste, &c. The 
entrances, too, were of different shape, and had places for slingers 
ou either hand. The water-way leading to the Stour, which 
washed the foot of the hill on the west, the numerous round 
depressions on the south and south-east side, marking the probable 
site of the hut circles in the older camp, and the well-defended 
east entrance of the latter, were all visited. And special attention 
was called to the numerous pits or scoupings visible along the 
slope of the ramparts, both outside and inside on the north and 
south side of the camp, and their origin and uses discussed. One, 
somewhat larger than the others, on the inside of the south 
rampart, was stated by one of the lady visitors to have probably 
served for the tent of a chief officer. This might be; or was it 
merely the result of the excavations when making the ramparts ? 
After a delightful and instructive ramble, Hod hill, its camps, 
butterfly orchids, and fresh breezes were left, Sir Talbot thanked 
for his able guidance, and the members rolled away through 
pretty scenery and past Bryanston house to the Crown Hotel at 
Blandford—not, however, before they had visited Mr. Durden’s 
collection of Neolithic flint weapons, bronze hatchets and torques, 
Roman swords and fibula, Saxon enamels, and many priceless 
local treasures which his genius and energy had, during a long 
life, collected together and admirably arranged. Mr. Shipp’s 
collection of local fossils was inspected as much as the now waning 
light allowed, and some remains of Elephas, from the Mammalian 
drift near at hand, especially noted, and thus terminated the first 
day’s excursion, one of the most instructive and pleasant of the 
‘season. 
An early start was made from the Crown, Blandford, the next 
morning at 9:a.m., to visit the other camps in the programme for 
