238 HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



not to be despised. ' The mode of fighting on horse- 

 back threatened equal danger to those who gave way, or 

 those who pursued. They never engaged in close order, 

 but in small parties, and with great intervals, and had 

 detachments placed in different parts, and then the one 

 relieved the other, and the vigorous and fresh succeeded 

 the wearisome.' ' The horses and charioteers of the enemy 

 contended vigorously in a skirmish with our cavalry on 

 the march ; yet so that our men were conquerors in all 

 parts, and drove them to their woods and hills.'' Nothing 

 but the superior organization of the Romans, and the 

 ability of their generals, prevented their being defeated 

 by this equestrian people. 



That the Celts in Britain were well acquainted with 

 iron, and placed a high value on it, we learn from He- 

 rodian. He says : ' They know not the use of clothing, 

 but encircle their loins and necks with iron ; deeming 

 this an ornament and an evidence of opulence, in like 

 manner as other barbarians esteem gold. But they 

 puncture their skins with pictured forms of every sort of 

 animals; on which account they wear no clothing, lest 

 they shoidd hide the figures on their bodies. They are 

 a most warlike and sanguinary race, carrying only a small 

 shield and a spear, and a sword girded to their naked 

 bodies. Of a breast-plate or helmet they know not 

 the use, esteeming them an impediment to their progress 

 through the marshes.' 



A very old Welsh poem, ' Gorchan Cynfelin,' says, 

 in regard to Druid sacrifices : ' When I was devoted to 



' Cccsar. Op. cir. lib. v. cap. 15, 16. 



