Anniversary Address. 51 



In July and Angust Dr. Brydon explored a second and 

 more remarkable deposit at the farm of Shaws, in the confines 

 of Selkirkshire. In front of the farm-house is an eminence 

 called the Middle hill, overlooking the lochs forming the 

 sources of the Ale; and on this is a mound known by the 

 name of the Sleepy knowe, which was resorted to by some 

 workmen, about four years ago, in search of stones to build 

 a march -dyke. On breaking into the mound they came upon 

 a cist containing a skeleton, on which Mr. Gibson, who 

 occupies the farm, at once, with a rare, and therefore the 

 more praiseworthy, intelligence put a stop to the work. It 

 remained in this state till Dr. Brydon, becoming acquainted 

 with the circumstance, resolved to prosecute the search. 



The Knowe, as its name implies, was a circular mound, 

 108 feet in circumference and 5 to 6 feet high, covered with 

 fine short grass. On removing the soil the structure was 

 found to be formed of 3 to 4 tiers of large stones " sloping in- 

 wards and downwards, like a low wall all lound," on the 

 edge of which rested " another layer of unequal thickness, 

 the direction of which was inwards and upwards." The 

 general character of the edifice appears to have been that of 

 a rude vaulted dome, paved throughout with large water- worn 

 stones, resting on what appeared to be a layer of peat ashes. 

 The interior was occupied by several cists and smaller cavities, 

 at different depths, separated from each other by large stones 

 apparently cast in without any regularity. Above the whole 

 was a layer of larger water-worn stones, surmounted by 

 smaller shingle, completing the structure. There seem to 

 have been three sepulchral cists ; the first, which was opened 

 four years ago, was inches 24+18x21, and appears to have 

 contained the skeleton of an adult male in a recumbent or 

 crouching posture ; the second, in which was found the frag- 

 ments of a large, coarse earthen vessel, which probably filled 

 the whole cavity, was of oblong form, inches 20x12x38. 

 This urn, which had a beaded rim and cord-drawn lines, 

 seems to have covered a heap of burnt bones, among which 

 was found the frontal bone of a dog. The third cist was 



