510 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO l/OQ. 



tracted every where with equal vigour. To conclude ; this, and the former ex- 

 periment of the sealing-wax, plainly discover a transparent quality in some 

 bodies, called opaque, under particular circumstances. It was never so much 

 as suspected that they could exchange that quality for the contrary one, and 

 again resume their former state. What is said towards a reason of such an ap- 

 |>earance in the experiment of the sealing-wax, Philos. Trans. N° 315, I think 

 is very applicable to this. See also Physico-mechanical experiments on various 

 Subjects, p. 131. 



Concerning sotne Ancient Brass Inslruments found in Yorkshire. By Mr. Ra. 

 Tkoresby, F.R.S. N° 322, p. 393. 



Weapons of brass having been discontinued for many ages, it may not per- 

 haps be unacceptable to give an account of some that were lately found in these 

 parts. As the servants of Mr. Ellis of Kiddal were ploughing, in a place called 

 Osmond-thick, near Bramham-Moor, they discovered 5 or 6 brass instruments, 

 which are of different sizes, from about 3 to 4-1- inches in length, and from 

 1 4^ to 24- inches in breadth : they are somewhat in the form of a wedge, as 

 proceeding from a rather sharp edge to about 2 inches, where they are wrought 

 hollow to put upon a shaft : each of them has an ear or loop. Some suppose 

 them to have been arrow-heads, or axes of the ancient Britains; others, 

 those of the Roman catapultas ; but I think they are as much too heavy for the 

 first, as they are too light for the last. I should rather take them to have been 

 the heads of spears, or walking-staves of the civilised Britains; and though of 

 a somewhat different form from those described by Speed (Hist, of Great Brit, 

 cap. 6.) their figures taken I presume from ancient manuscripts, yet by the loop 

 in the ride we may better conceive how those ornamental labels were fastened, 

 than by the pictures there represented. 



That swords or daggers were used in old times, of the same metal, as well in 

 Ireland as in Great Britain, (of which there are several described in the last 

 edition of the Britannia) I conjecture from some found there of late years, one 

 of which was a middle size, viz. 1 8 inches long in the blade ; whereas, of those 

 found in Wales, some were only 12, but others 24. The hilt or handle was 

 probably of wood, (as is that of an old sword that I have now by. me, which is 

 5 feet and a half long) it having been wholly consumed: they have been fastened 

 together by four larger or two less nails, as appears by the holes in the brass, 

 which are still entire. I have also an ancient spur, no less than 6 inches and 

 a half long, from the heel to the middle of the rowel ; but this, which is 

 gilded, and of nicer workmanship, I suppose to be of a much later date. 



