an ancient Mode of Sepulture, &'c. 231 
hooks belonging to the tliree different branches, 
being introduced into three or more iron hoops that 
might have been put round the neck of the corpfe ; 
the middle of the body, and the middle of the 
thighs.* The fhovels, that were found, may have 
been ufed for depofiting the bones and afhes inter- 
mixed with earth, along the infide of the fence 
belonging to the cemetery, as already explained. 
It may alfo with probability be fuppofed, that 
according as the bones were more or lefs confumed, 
the niche in which they were. depofited would be 
made larger or lefs, fo as to contain them pretty 
accurately, which will account for their variety of 
fize and fhape, both in the cairns and cemeteries. 
There is reafon to believe, that wood only would 
be uied for confuming the dead, and wherever any 
diftri& became well inhabited, the wood would foon 
become fcarce, from its ufe for that and other pur- 
pofes; and therefore it would become neceffary to 
fall on fuch means as above defcribed, to prevent 
the neceflity of fo great a confumption of it as 
would otherwife take place. 
_ The Diftrié in which the firft defcribed Cemetery 
is fi tuated, was then probably well inhabited, for it 
is at no great diftance from Knaer Caftle, that is 
faid 
* N. B. Of the three hoops that. continue perfe& in 
their circumference, one is fixteen inches diameter, ‘one 
eighteen, and one twenty, There are alfo the remains of 
ene or two ftill larger, 
\ 
