fb BS. F 
done by ftrokes, both furfaces being very fmooth, and fhewing 
no appearance of indentures or impreflions of blows; and the. 
thicknefs, which is about equal to that of the beft writing- 
paper, being nearly uniform:—lIt feems rather to have been 
effected by powerful preflure, as by that of avery heavy body: 
with a fmooth furface; but it appears that this preffure was not 
perfeftly equal at all times or in all parts; for though the 
thicknefs is more equable than would probably have refulted 
from hammering, it is not as completely fo as if it had pafled. 
through a flatting mill, or been worked by any kind of regu— 
lar mechanical operation. 
Tuis - binding is at prefent in four pieces; but it may have 
been broken by the country people that made the difcovery ; 
for, fuppofing it to be gold, they {tripped the whole of. it from 
the wood; but when convinced of their miftake, they faftened 
it on again with common pins. The brafs has the fame colour 
and appearance in every refpect as that now in ufe, and_ has 
fuffered very little corrofion. 
Tue inftrument was found in the month of Auguft 1791, on 
the lands of Becan, in the barony of Coftello, and county of 
Mayo, part of the eftate of Lord Vifcount Dillon. It lay hori- 
zontally, buried in the body of a turf-bog, at the depth of about 
nine feet from the furface. When taken up it was. perfectly 
ftraight, but has fince warped fomewhat in drying. The wood: 
is full very found. 
PB] Mr. 
