Coffey — Spear-heads of the Bronze Age found in Ireland. 503 



With small apertures in blade protected by projections on outer 



sides : 



Inclies. 



Sir John Evans', found near Lurgan , . .24 

 Eoyal Irish Academy, ..... 22|- 

 Elgin Museum, found at Duffus, Moyrayshire, . 19|- 



Of the five examples in the Academy's collection of type (fig. 17) 

 which I place in the transitional period, one measuring 19 inches has 

 lost a portion of the point ; it was 20 or 21 inches in length. Another 

 imperfect specimen was probably nearly of the same length. 



Evans notices a spear-head with segmental openings from 

 Lancashire, 19|- inches long. Another of the same type in 

 the Edinburgh Museum, from Forfarshire, measures 19 in. 



In the fourth class of AVilde's division (figs. 

 33, 34, and 35) the apertures of the blade 

 appear to be ornamental, or 

 serve to lighten the blade. The 

 spear-head of this class usually 

 have rivet-holes in the sockets. 

 They are frequently decorated 

 by raised mouldings, sometimes 

 of cable pattern, and are ad- 

 mirable examples of casting. 

 The base of the socket is occa- 

 sionally decorated by rings and 

 reeding similar to the Lough 

 Gur example of the leaf -shaped 

 class. In several instances small 

 circular apertui'es or eyelets are 

 found in the blade figures. 



The type appears to be a 

 development from that last con- 

 sidered. As shown, a series may be made of figures (leading up to 

 figures 29 and 30, both of which are devoid of rivet-holes) which seem to 

 indicate the development of the form. The ogee curve of the blade may 

 be accounted for as due to the enlargement of the apertures ; but may 

 be derived from some of the Continental types. There are two forms 

 of this class ; one formed on the model of the broad leaf-shaped 

 form, and the other on that of the narrow leaf-shaped form. The 

 eyelet holes seem to be ornamental, and vary greatly in number and 

 disposition. 



sa-HW. 36). 34-- 



(W. 34). iii in. 



-Shannon Drainage Works 

 35— (W. 252). iii in. 



