34 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



durable, is fairly elastic. The value of ash for tool handles and 

 the like is recognised at the present day. 



Pyrus aucuparia, used as a shaft for a hammer (No. i, 

 Table), and also as a shaft for a gouge (No. 3, Table), 

 was probably procured locally, for twigs of this species were 

 found, in some cases with bark attached, among the material 

 from the refuse pits. It is probable also that the birch used 

 as a pick-handle (No. 2, Table) was similarly derived. Both 

 birch and rowan are hard and tough woods which do not 

 readily split. 



Table, 

 Definite Objects received for Identification. 

 No. I, Shaft of hammer from Pit 



VIII., . . . . Rowan {Pyrus aucuparia). 



2. Shaft of pick, . . . Birch {Petula alba). 



3. Shaft of gouge from Pit 



VIII., . . . . Rowan {Pyrus aucuparia). 



4. Fragment of a spear shaft 



from Pit VIII., . . Hazel {Corylus Avellana). 



5. Shaft of an axe, . . Hazel {Corylus Avellana). 



6. Shaft of a large hammer, . Hazel {Corylus Avellana) 



7. Handle of a chisel, . . Hazel {Corylus Avellana). 



8. Shaft of a large pick, . Ash {Fraxinus excelsior). 



9. Wood from Pit VIII. , . Ash {Fraxinus excelsicr). 

 10. „ „ . Oak {Quercus robur). 



12. End of a shaft taken from 

 the socket of a javelin 

 head of iron, from ditch 

 in earlier part of fort, . Hazel {Corylus Avellana). 



