THE FIRST WINTER MEETING. XXIX. 



that it was a weight suspended by a cord and used in weaving. 

 Captain ACLAND observed that there were a number of such 

 loom weights in the Museum. 



STONE MORTARS. 



The Rev. J. M. J. FLETCHER and the Rev. C. W. H. DICKER 

 exhibited some ancient mortars or stoups of Purbeck stone. 



By the Rev. C. R. BASKETT : 



An interesting collection of stone implements from British 

 Columbia. 



ROMAN VILLA AT WYKE REGIS. Captain ACLAND produced 

 a letter from Mr. H. C. Bowdage, calling attention to the site 

 of a supposed Roman villa at Wyke Regis, discovered ten 

 years ago while he was superintending the construction of the 

 Ferry Bridge. He observed traces on the soil of some building 

 underneath. Nothing, added Captain Acland, was more 

 likely than that there was a Roman villa at Wyke, and his 

 object in mentioning the matter was, if possible, to induce 

 some antiquary of the neighbourhood to undertake excava- 

 tions to ascertain the truth of the supposition. The Rev. C. 

 R. BASKETT said he had two Roman coins which were dug 

 up in the allotments at Wyke not long ago. 



PAPERS. 



The Rev. J. M. J. FLETCHER read a paper on ' The 

 Birthplace of Matthew Prior . ' ' (Page 71.) 



Mr. F. J. BARNES read a paper (of considerable scientific 

 value and of general interest) on " Lobsters." 



The Rev. H. SHAEN SOLLY contributed a note on " A large 

 Boulder, found in the Drift, Upper Parkstone." (Page 161.) 



Mr. HENRY SYMONDS read a paper on " Some Dorset 

 Privateers," of the ports of Poole, Weymouth, and Lyme 

 Regis. (Page 30.) 



Two other papers by the Hon. Editor and by Mr. J. S. 

 Udal, F.S.A. were held over until the next meeting. 



