II 



two inches to seven and a-half inches in length. This is a 

 very large number to find in a private collection, and is a proof 

 of the late Mr. Benn's industry in collecting, and also of the 

 exceptionally good opportunities which he had for forming a 

 collection. Of these celts, 54 are either flat-shaped or of the 

 winged form which have been called Paalstab or Paalstav celts. 

 These and the solid celts were, it is supposed, mounted for use 

 by being inserted in a handle of wood, which either lapped 

 over the tang portion of the axe or was pierced by a hole of 

 suitable shape to receive the small end of it. The socketed 

 celts, of which there are 31, were cast with a hollow or socket, 

 into which the wooden handle was inserted ; these frequently 

 had small loops cast on at the sides, which were most likely 

 for the purpose of passing a tying through, to secure the head 

 more firmly to the handle. These two classes of weapons — the 

 one in which the metal head was inserted into the wood, and 

 that in which the wood shaft was inserted into the head — are 

 considered by O'Curry to have belonged to two distinct but 

 contemporaneous races of people in this country ; and in his 

 lectures he cites an ancient account of the first battle of Magh 

 Tuireadh, which was fought, according to O'Flagherty, in the 

 year B.C. 1272, or, according to the chronology of the Four 

 Masters, in B.C. 1890. The battle was fought between the 

 Firbolgs and the Tuatha De Danann, near the village of Cong, 

 in the modern County of Mayo ; and the ancient records give 

 very full details of the weapons which were used on both sides. 

 The weapons seem to have been of bronze, and Professor 

 O'Curry examines and criticizes in his usual painstaking way 

 the various kinds of weapons which are mentioned, as regards 

 their form, material, and mode of use ; and in translating the 

 Irish names for them he endeavours to identify them with 

 ancient bronze weapons preserved in the Museum of the Royal 

 Irish Academy. O'Curry's arguments are too long for repe- 

 tition here ; but I will read you one extract concerning this 

 battle, which is very instructive in itself, and illustrates the 

 careful way in which O'Curry treats his subject : — " The 

 Firbolgs had settled their seat of sovereignty at Tara, where 



