334 On the Combuftion of dead Bodies 
inftruments, that. they were ufed for the exprefé 
purpofe I have ftated, and appertained to res 
pofitories. of the dead. But what feems to confirm 
this pofition almoft beyond,a doubt, is the particular 
fituation in which the iron inftruments at Kell-Blane 
were difcovered, being. all included in one oblong 
niche, covered with common mould o1 earth... They 
confifted of a number of very. ftrong and moft curious 
chains; a pillared fupporter; rings and blunt hooks 
highly ornamented; hoops of a different conftrudtion 
from thofe now in ufe; a pitchfork having its prongs 
{quared, and therefore unft for being ufed in huf- 
bandry, and alfo too large for culinary purpofes; 
and a pair of large tongs.* Thefe inftruments,, 
all of iron, with two {pades or fhovels, were depos 
fited together in fuch a manner as plainly fhewed, 
that they were intended to be ufed in concert, 
and only on very particular occafions. It was 
evident, that great care had been taken to conceal 
them, as will more iy appear fram the Br ecnis 
flatement. 
‘ I was 
_ * A pair of large tongs were alfo found along with the 
other in{ftruments, but in fo confumed a ftate, that they, 
prefently fell to pieces, and therefore could not be included 
in the number of thofe articles put into Mr, Riddel’s pof- 
{effion. ‘They were of the kind ftill in ufe amongft the 
common people here, having blades or fides above three 
feet long. Mr. Wilkins, the farmer of the ground, who 
was prefent when they were difcovered, informed A, C. of 
this circumftance, foon after he had tranfmitted his paper 
on this ancient Mode of Sepulture, to Dr, Percival, 
