THE HAMPSHIRE ANTIQUARY & NATURALIST. 



101 



right humerus and left fibula, and left fifth rib of this 

 skeleton were fractured. As examples of Anglo- 

 Saxon interments, he described ornaments of gold 

 and silver found in graves on Bowcombe and Ches- 

 sell and Shalcombe Downs. He pointed out iron 

 swords found on Chessel Down by Mr. Dennett in 

 1826. He also showed a very fine collection of 

 bronze celts found at Northwood and Barton ; and 

 a neolithic implement which fell from among the 

 gravels of an old river bed in the cliff at Freshwater 

 Gate. He said that some ot the vessels found in the 

 barrows were evidently burnt on the spot ; but many 

 of them corresponded with the pottery found at the 

 Roman pottery works at Barnes Chine, near Brigh- 

 stone, to specimens of which he directed attention. 



A discussion took place and Mr. Shore said he 

 regarded the fractured skull, found in the tumulus, as 

 an example of a slave being slain at the cremation of a 

 cheftain. He had given this instance in a paper read 

 before the Anthropological Institute. Mr. Dale 

 questioned whether these ancient people were so bad 

 as they were represented to have been, and claimed 

 for them the benefit of the doubt, especially as to the 

 habit referred to of splitting up the bones of their de- 

 voured toes to enjoy the marrow. 



The party then proceeded to view some fine old 

 houses with overhanging eaves, and one with a quaint 

 portico over the doorway, and also to inspect a fine 

 piece of carving from an old house in course of 

 demolition and two wells ; one 180 feet deep and 

 stone lined, recently discovered under an old 

 house removed for new buildings to be erected on 

 the site. 



A journey by rail then took the party to Ningwood 

 for Shalfleet, where the interesting old church, with 

 a fine Norman tower, was inspected. At the base of 

 this tower an interesting paper was read by the Vicar, 

 the Rev. John Thomas, M.A.* A discussion followed 

 as to the origin of the name St. Winifred's well, and 

 the Vicar was inclined to believe it was of Welsh 

 origin, but it came out later in the day at Newtown 

 that it was from the Countess of Salisbury, whose 

 name was Winifred, that the name became associated 

 with the well. Three sources were suggested for 

 the name Shalfleet, namely fleet, a stream, and 

 wood, stream in the wood ; and, again, 

 41 shall" from a hollow and fleet, a stream ; 

 and, third, from Scaldis, through the Dutch Scheldt, 

 as no doubt the ancestors of the ancient Dutch visited 

 this neighbourhood in early times in their vessels. 

 An inspection of the church followed, and two stone 

 coffin lids were the object of much interest, Mr. B. 

 W. Greenfield considering that the one with spear 

 and shield formed one ot the most interesting 

 examples in England of this kind of monument. The 

 other contained an engraving of a spear-head and 

 knight's head. Both were in good condition, and 

 their removal from the floor was suggested as a 

 means for their better preservation. 

 * See page no post. 



One of the most interesting features of the meeting 

 was the botanical portion. A number of gentlemen 

 and farmers in the neighbourhood had collected all 

 the rare plants in the district whose names and 

 classes had hitherto puzzled them, and the botanists 

 present viz., Mr. F. J. Warner, F.L.S., Dr. Buckell, 

 of Romsey, and Dr. Embleton, of Bournemouth 

 identified them, and it was a sight worth remember- 

 ing to see one of the rooms in the inn at Shalfleet 

 crowded with a party engaged for a considerable 

 time in these investigations. A pleasant walk 

 through country lanes brought the Club to Newtown, 

 where they comfortably seated themselves on the 

 grass in front of the still remaining "Town Hall" to 

 listen to a paper by Mr. G. W. Colenutt (hon. local 

 sec. of the Club for the Isle of Wight) on 

 " Frenchville " or " Newtown." * 



An ancient map showing the burgage tenures of 

 this pocket borough was exhibited. This map was 

 copied in 1768 from an older one. Mr. Shore sug- 

 gested the desirability of publishing a copy of this map 

 in the proceedings of the Club, with a paper on New- 

 town, and we understand that Mr. Estcourt, who has 

 the custody of the map, has consented to allow this 

 being done. Questions having been asked as to how 

 the district of Newtown, which formerly belonged to 

 the Bishop of Winchester, came into the possession 

 of the present owners, Mr. Greenfield pointed out 

 that it was sold to the King, and by him given to 

 Montague, and passed, through the Countess ot Salis- 

 bury, to FitzWilliarn Barrington. 



Newtown Church was next visited, and a descrip- 

 tion of it given by the Vicar, the Rev. H. R. Venn, 

 M.A. It is a modern erection, built from the materials 

 of the old church, which was in ruins, and partly 

 on the old foundations, but of smaller dimensions, 

 the architect copying (?) as nearly as possible the 

 older structure. The general opinion, however, 

 was that he had drawn very much on his own 

 imagination. 



The President proposed, in his characteristic way, 

 a vote of thanks to the Vicars of Shalfleet and New- 

 town for their kindness in connection with the out- 

 ing, which was carried with acclamation, and the 

 rev. gentlemen having suitably replied, a movement 

 was made for Calbourne, where tea was provided, 

 after which the party returned by train to Cowes, 

 and a pleasant run by boat ended a most successful 

 and enjoyable day. 



The Southampton contingent numbered thirty, 

 and these were increased to fifty on arrival in the 

 Island. 



WEATHER REPORT FOR THE WEEK. 



From the meteorological register made at the Ordnance 

 Survey Office, Southampton, underthe direction of Col. Sir 

 Chas. Wilson, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., F.R.S., R.E. Lat. 50 

 * See page m post. 



