314 HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



width. One from the Bridge of Reignac, belonging to 

 the second class, and presented by M. Picot to Sir J. 

 Lubbock, by whom it was given to the museum, mea- 

 sures six inches long, three and a half wide, and the 

 height of the front hook is two and three-quarters inches. 

 It is inscribed ' Fer de Cheval.' Two of the specimens 

 exhibited have the flat strips of iron forming the clips 

 welded on to the sole, which in one of them is only two and 

 three-eighths inches wide. To compensate for this want of 

 breadth, these project a little from each side before being 

 turned upwards at an acute angle. The ground-surface, 

 as already mentioned, is notched or furrowed in various 

 directions. The workmanship of all of them is very 

 rough and primitive, but the welding appears to be solid, 

 and the iron of excellent quality. They are compara- 

 tively light, the sole plate being generally the heaviest 

 and strongest part. 



Springhead, near Gravesend, Kent, so prolific in 

 antiquities belonging to the British, Roman, and sub- 

 sequent periods, furnishes us with two specimens of the 

 first and second models. These, through the obliging 

 kindness of Mr Sylvester, I have been allowed to inspect 

 very carefully. Figure 133 has the oval or pear-shaped 

 sole with the wide opening in the middle. One of the 

 side clips has been oxidized completely through, and 

 the other has been temporarily repaired ; it is narrow, 

 and the height is three and seven-eighths inches. The 

 point of the hook inclines inwards. The sole is worn 

 and oxidized to a thin edge in front, and is thicker 

 behind towards the hook. The specimen is little more 

 than an aggregation of rusty flakes ; its length, not includ- 



