STLTTGART. 31? 



sole ; into it is riveted three studs, or we might term 

 them calks, about half-an-inch high, the foremost of 

 which is placed in the middle of the toe of the plate, 

 and the other two are placed on each side behind. From 

 both sides of the back part springs a clasp or band as 

 is usual in this type, about an inch broad, which inclines 

 forwards and upwards, uniting in the middle, about two 

 inches above the ground plate, to form a round eyelet 

 or ring, through which Grosz supposed a thong was 

 drawn. There is a hook for the same purpose at the 

 rear of the plate, this veterinarian observes ; though 

 whether the article served as a so-called pathological 

 shoe for diseased hoofs, as a temporary expedient when 

 horses had lost a shoe, or whether destined for hoofs which 

 were too much worn to be shod, he could not decide. 



After an inspection of so many of these articles, which 

 are apparently Roman, or belonging to the Roman period, 

 the question arises, are they justly designated horse, mule, 

 or bullock sandals ? or have the Romans, or the people 

 in whose territory they were found, ever employed them 

 as a defence for the feet of tlieir horses ? 



We have noticed that at one time they were supposed 

 to be supports for lamps ; ' also lychnuchi pensiles, or hang- 

 ing lamp-holders ; the specimen found at Langton, Wilt- 

 shire, Sir S. Meyrick supposed to be a spur ; then they 

 were imagined to be ancient stirrups,^ and now they are 

 almost universally designated ' horse-sandals.' Professor 

 Defays even contrives to adjust one to an animafs foot, 

 though it must be rather uncomfortable about the heel ; 



' Gr'waud de la l^ncelle. Arts et Metiers des Anciens. 

 ' Cochet. Le Tombeau de Childeric, p. 164, note. 



