33 
oriental porcelain would seem to argue, that this metal was longer 
known.* I have consulted W. Higgins, Esq. Professor of Che- 
mistry to the Dublin Society, and he says, that this bluish metal is 
not Cobalt, although he could not then take upon himself to say 
what it really was. 
The back and one of the sides of the Barnaan Cuilawn are still 
covered with thin brass plates, on the former of which is visible an 
engraving of across. Several credible and respectable inhabit- 
ants of the parish in which it was found affirm, that, within the 
last forty years, there was a cross upon the front side of the Bar- 
naan Cuilawn, enriched with various coloured precious stones ; but, 
although much pains have been taken to procure this cross, rewards 
and enquiries have proved alike ineffectual. The cross just spoken 
of has been lost in the following manner. After the death of the 
Rev. Mr. M‘Eneiry, Roman Catholic Vicar of the Parish of Glan- 
keen, the Barnaan Cuilawn fell into the hands of his successor, the 
Rev. Michael Bohun, a man of great learning, but who had not 
much taste for the antiquities of the country. Upon Mr. Bohun’s 
having beer newly come to the parish, the Barnaan Cuilawn was, 
in the hurry of removing, unfortunately thrown, along with some 
articles of furniture, into an open stable; and, while it remained 
there, some person, induced by a wish of possessing part of so re- 
VOL. XIV. F 
* The late General Vallancey, in the Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis, Numb. 13. vol. 4, treat- 
ing of the Liath Meisicith of the ancient Irish Druids, says “ it is well known that Cobalt, 
ground up with oil, will lie an hour or more in that unctuous state, and then burst into an amaz- 
ing blaze ;” and considers it as “ probable, that the Druids, who were skllful chymists, (for 
their days) could not be ignorant of so simple an experiment.” 
+ This Cross, (a drawing of which is annexed, fig. 5.) it is very remarkable corresponds in 
shape and the number of lines of which it is formed with that given in Ledwich’s Antiquities, 
plate 18. as engraved on the tomb of O'Toole, who is said to have been interred in Glendaloch 
in the year 1010. 
