Johnson and Frazer — On Manufacture of a Gold Fibula. 337 



each being separately adapted by modelling or rubbing the gold into 

 prepared patterns specially made out of either hard wood or bone, either 

 of which would answer for the purpose. 



The junction of the hollow gold bow, already bent into its intended 

 curved shape, to the terminal cups, was accomplished by applying 

 strong heat sufficient to cause superficial surface fusion of both 

 metallic surfaces (which is usually done by employing a blowpipe) : this 

 observation applies alone to the outer cups, or those concave plates of 

 gold, for both the inner ones lay detached within them, forming 

 separate shells not adhering to the outer plate by fusion or to the 

 gold bow save through their recurved edges in the manner already 

 described. 



There was no appearance of any solder, by using an inferior quality 

 of gold, being applied ; all the junctions were produced by fusing in 

 strong heat the approximated metallic surfaces, when they firmly 

 united together. 



The weight of the fibula was 2 oz. 18 dwt. 17 grains, equivalent to 

 1409 grains. This fibula was turned up early in this month in a 

 field in the townland of Kilrathmurry, Hill of Down, Co. Kildare, the 

 exact spot being about 1^ miles due south of the Old Rath of Clonard. 

 It is a moory piece of ground, and there is no tumulus or other object 

 suggestive of antiquity near it. 



