646 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



work, still in course of publication. It is situated about 4^ miles, north- 

 west by north, from Firminy, on one of the spurs of the hills of granite 

 and mica-schist, through which the Loire has in this locality cut its 

 valley, and which render its course so winding and so picturesque. It 

 overlooks the river fi'om a height of about 300 to 400 feet, commanding 

 in one direction a view up the valley of the river towards the souths 



j^:Slikl 



and in the other an extended view over the Forez plain. The tower 

 in question is situated at the western end of the spur, where it joins- 

 the hill, and within about 100 yards of the main road. It stands 

 quite detached from any building, on a platform surrounded by a low 

 wall on the north and north-west sides, and in the immediate vicinity 

 of the village church, but at a level of some few feet higher than this. 



