ON SAXON SITTTLE OR BUCKETS. 



101 



not found perfect buckets at any of our Roman diggings, yet 

 the metallic fascia is not uncommonly met with at Roman 

 stations. 



Akerman says that the wood of which the staves of these 

 buckets is formed is not of one uniform description. The staves 

 of that found at Fairf ord (query by Mr. Wylie*) were composed 

 of oak ; those from the Roundway-down tumulus were of yew, 

 as are some of those from the Linton Heath Cemetery ; but a 

 fragment of a bucket found between Sandgate and Dover, pre- 

 served in the British Museum, shows that the staves were formed 

 of pine ; hence it does not appear that there was a predeliction 

 for any particular wood, although that of the closest grain would 

 naturally be preferred." f We have reason to believe that the 

 wood of the bucket we figure is cedar, which, if it could be 

 obtained, would doubtless be valued beyond all other, not only 

 for its lightness in weight, but for its pleasing colour and 

 fine perfume, and, besides, we may perhaps conclude that an 

 additional charm would attach to a wood so rare in itself, and 

 one which would be likely to be valued for its interesting sur- 

 roundings. 



* Fairford Graves, p. 20. 

 t Pagan Saxondom, p. 55-6. 



