262 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



lias not been identified. Bronze was worked on the spot, judging from 

 the remains of four crucibles found, one being an excellent example of 

 the triangular variety with fused bronze still adhering to the inner sur- 

 face. The perfect articles of bronze include a fibula of La Tene III. 

 type with solid catch-plate, a handsome deep finger-ring of one and 

 a half turns tapering in both directions and ornamented with longi- 

 tudinal grooves, a heavy snake-ring of plain round wire, a bradawl with 

 shank of square section for insertion into the handle, a broad needle or 

 bodkin, and a harness-ring. In less perfect condition are a pair of 

 tweezers, four other finger-rings, a few broken brooches, pieces of 

 bordering, and other complete and fragmentary objects. 



Among the remains of iron is a very large heavy ring, having in one 

 position a moulded ornament in high relief. One or two awls were 

 found, one fixed into its handle of antler, and a gouge used presumably 

 in connection with a brace. The peaceful disposition of the lake- 

 dwellers at Glastonbury was evidenced by the very small number of 

 weapons found. At Meare, however, the ground uncovered has so far 

 produced a tanged spear-head and a javelin-head with corrugated blade, 

 neither of which is socketed. 



An amber bead was found in 1908, but glass is revealing itself 

 more plentifully than at Glastonbury. Eight " finds " were made of 

 this material, including a boss or head of a pin, and several beads of 

 considerable interest. The lemon-coloured ring-bead is distinctly of La 

 Tene type ; two tiny blue ring-beads were discovered which subsequently 

 led to the finding of eight others near by, in perfect condition. Another 

 of the beads is of iridescent clear glass, ornamented with spirals of 

 opaque yellow glass. A blue bead with three rows of small white 

 rings is very beautiful. 



None of the objects of Kimmeridge shale is complete. With the 

 exception of a piece of a shale vessel with cordon, all the fragments are 

 parts of armlets of various diameters and thickness. Most of the 

 specimens bear evidence of the use of the lathe, as indeed some of the 

 pottery does also. Little can be said of the earthenware until the large 

 quantity found has been restored. All sizes of vessels are represented, 

 from a tiny pot about 1| inch high to others over 12 inches. The 

 ornamental patterns — curvilinear designs, cross-hatching, dots-and- 

 circles and zigzags predominating — are numerous, and include many 

 which cannot be matched from the neighbouring village; although, 

 on the other hand, many designs typical of the period are repeated. 

 Included among the objects of baked clay are many sling-bullets of 

 the usual form (glands). 



Of stone the objects found are also numerous, and comprise a large 

 number of querns, mostly of the ' saddle-shape,' a grindstone, a large 

 circular stone with flat sunk surface having a beaded edge (which may 

 probably have been a mould), various mullers and rubbing-stones, some 

 well-formed flint scrapers and knives, and a polished neolithic celt of 

 igneous stone (probably from Mendip), and probably highly valued as 

 a charm. 



Of human remains, portions of three skulls and a molar tooth were 

 found in different places, and the greater part of a thigh bone 



