260 
the digging be traced by the way in which the crops grew. The 
next and only City was Caerwent, where there had clearly been a 
continuity of life, and where there was at present a village which 
considerably impeded the work, for, owing to the expenses that 
would be entailed by keeping open the ground, after the investi- 
gations were completed, the places had in most cases to be buried 
again. ‘The walls of Silchester were by no means symmetrical, 
while those of Caerwent were almost rectangular, the corners 
being rounded off, and, in his opinion, this pointed to the military 
origin of the town. The houses in Silchester were chiefly of two 
kinds: the courtyard type, with the rooms on three sides of the 
courtyard ; and the corridor type, while in Caerwent they had 
found a unique type, a thing that helped the find very much, 
for there the houses were built round all four sides of the open 
courtyard. Mr. Martin illustrated his lecture with a number of 
clear and accurate slides, which gave a vivid impression of the 
remains. The most interesting descriptions being those of the 
hypocausts or winter rooms, which were heated by fire placed 
beneath the tesselated floor ; and the North Gate, which was 
discovered through the enthusiasm of a local blacksmith, where 
traces were found of pipes of varying diameter leading into the 
City. After describing the various houses found, in one case 
three being built on the one site, their decoration, and the mosaic 
work in them, Mr. Martin showed some pillars whose beauty had 
surprised them, and observed his hearers had greater and 
finer Roman remains ; but they must remember Bath was a much 
richer place than Caerwent. At the conclusion of the lecture the 
boys signified their appreciation by vigorous cheering, while on 
behalf of the visitors the Rev. CW. Shickle thanked the lecturer. 
All the Papers read at the Afternoon Meetings appear in this 
Number, and will well repay perusal. The Library of the Field 
Club has received important additions during the year, especially 
in gifts from the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, U.S.A. 
