17 



Vr» from Olterhurn, Rcrburfthshi 



On a Cinerary Urn at Otterbvrn, 

 shire. By James Hardy. 



Morebattle, Boxburgk- 



In company with the Eev. Dr Leishman, President of the 

 Club, a visit was paid, October 13th, 1885, to Eckford " Smiddy 

 Hill" to examine the slabs and other stones of the cists disin- 

 terred on the hill ridge west of the Manse, which Mr Winning 

 has now fully described. The interments had been on a gravel 

 knoll where the soil was very shallow, and on a spot which the 

 dwellers of early times would consider as improbable that it 

 should ever be disturbed. The enclosing boulder stones were 

 chiefly of greywacke. There was a 3 feet long sandstone slab, 

 and another H feet by 3, and 3 inches thick ; 9 slabs or large 

 stones altogether. The Eev. Mr Yair related the story of the 

 profane smith and his riotous family, who lived at a moss-side 

 at the foot of the south side of the hill, and were swallowed up 

 in a quagmire, along with their shop and dwelling, the anvil 

 being the sole remnant that ever again saw the light of day. It 

 was dug out of the marsh during draining operations, having 

 probably been placed there for safety during a period of invasion, 

 and this re-discovery may have originated the entire myth. The 



