REPORT ON THE STAPENHILL EXPLORATIONS. 189 
in nearly every grave were found bits of flint, and shards of 
pottery, some of Roman, others of Saxon manufacture, all old 
and weathered ; no doubt superstition required they should be 
_ of that description and not fractured for the express purpose. 
_ They evidently appertain to some curious ancient Pagan custom. 
Canon Greenwell refers in his book on British Barrows, to the 
finding of flints and shards under somewhat similar conditions 
in the graves of the early British ; and, that this practice pre- 
vailed at the graves of suicides for a considerable period after 
the introduction of Christianity, may be inferred from that 
passage in Shakespeare’s ‘“‘ Hamlet,” when, at the grave of 
Ophelia, in answer to Laertes’ question, ‘‘ What ceremony else ?” 
the priest answers 
re 
“*Her obsequies have been as far enlarged 
As we have warranty; her death was doubtful 
And, but that great command o’ersways the order 
She should in ground unsanctified have lodged 
Till the last trumpet: for charitable prayers, 
Shards, flints, and pebbles should be threwn on her.” 
The Samian ware found in Britain was manufactured abroad, 
chiefly in France; this ware is of a beautiful deep-red colour, 
and of an extremely delicate texture, having somewhat the 
appearance of red sealing-wax. The vessels composed of it 
are of all sizes and shapes, but very fragile, so that it 
is extremely rare to find one intact; these vessels are 
generally ornamented in relief with figures of animals and 
-men as well as foliage, fruit, and conventional subjects. Large 
numbers of the vessels have also the potter’s name stamped 
upon them in a label, usually at the bottom, and are generally 
of Gallic or German origin. A very crude imitation of this 
ware is often found, no doubt manufactured in Britain, for 
that the Romans during their sojourn in this island manu- 
factured various kinds of pottery there is ample proof, several 
sites of, and in some cases complete pottery kilns having been 
discovered just as they were left by their owners, at Castor, 
