stones," there are about 200. There are also several querns 

 and grain rubbers, making in all, of stone objects, a total of 

 upwards of 872. 



The next objects which I will direct your attention to are 

 those formed of earthen and glass materials, and these are 

 extremely interesting, as they comprise the glass beads, of 

 which there is a very fine series, and also the cinerary urns. 

 The beads in the collection, including those of amber, number 

 about 400. Some of these are probably not ancient; but of 

 undoubtedly ancient beads, both plain and enamelled with 

 several colours of glass, there are a great many. Some 

 of them, as might be expected, are quite unique, and it is 

 remarkable how closely they resemble the beads found in 

 so-called Saxon tombs in England, as drawn and coloured in a 

 work on the Faussett collection, compiled by the late Mr. 

 Joseph Mayer. Many of you will remember the fine series of 

 ancient beads that was exhibited here lately by Mr. Knowles, of 

 Cullybackey ; and in considering the great number of beautiful 

 and elaborately ornamented beads in Mr. Knowles's, in Mr. 

 Benn's, and in other local collections, one cannot help being 

 struck with the immense numbers of these fine ornaments 

 which the ancient people here possessed. I would like you 

 to examine these beads when you have opportunities of 

 doing so, and I feel sure you will be struck by the skill 

 with which they are made, and by the taste displayed in 

 harmonising the various colours of the enamel. One reason, 

 no doubt, why so many of these beads have been found 

 in such a perfect state is the comparative indestructibility 

 of glass when buried in the ground. Some of the beads 

 may have formed the heads of pins of either wood, bone, 

 or bronze, the pin part having long since mouldered away. 

 It is possible that these beautiful beads may not have been 

 made in Ireland at all, but may be of Continental, possibly 

 Italian, workmanship. Very similar beads have been found in 

 England and Scotland, and also in Denmark and about the 

 Swiss lake dwellings. Mr. Day, in a paper on enamelled beads 

 in his possession, communicated to the Kilkenny Archaeological 



