By the Rev. J. L. Boss. 



241 



remembrance of some fortunate event, or perpetuate the memory 

 of some noble action ; and the rough simplicity of their appearance 

 sufficiently justifies us in referring them to an early age, and to the 

 first inhabitants of these islands." 



In a later portion of his description of the Orkney Islands, Mr. 

 Barry relates that the Island of Westray, in particular, contains, 

 on the north and south-west sides of it, a great number of graves, 

 scattered over two extensive plains, of that nature which are called 

 links in Scotland. 1 "They have, at first," he states, "perhaps, been 

 covered with tumuli or barrows, though of this there is no absolute 

 certainly, as the ground, on which they are, is composed entirely 

 of sand, by the blowing of which the graves have been only of late 

 discovered. They are formed either of stones of a moderate size, 

 or of four larger ones on end, arranged in the form of a chest, to 

 contain the body, and such other articles as the custom of the time 

 interred with it. Few or no marks of burning are observable in 

 these remains of the dead, which are occupied mostly by bones, not 

 of men only, but of several other animals. Warlike instruments 

 of the kind then in use, also make a part of their contents, among 

 which may be reckoned battle-axes, two-handled swords, broad- 

 swords, helmets, swords made of bone of a large fish, and also dag- 

 gers. They have, besides, been found to contain instruments em- 

 ployed in the common purposes of life, as knives and combs ; and 

 others that have been used as ornaments, such as beads, brooches, 

 and chains ; together with some other articles, the use of which is 

 now unknown. Of this last kind may be mentioned, a flat piece of 

 marble, of a circular form, about two inches and a half in diameter ; 

 several stones, in shape and appearance like whet-stones, that have 

 never been used ; and an iron vessel, resembling an helmet, only 

 four inches and a half in the cavity, much damaged, as if with the 

 stroke of a sharp weapon, such as an axe or sword. In one of them 

 was found a metal spoon, and a glass cup that contained two gills, 

 Scotch measure ; and in another, a number of stones, formed into 

 the shape and size of whorles, 1 like those that were formerly used 

 for spinning in Scotland. 



1 Sandy flat ground, generally near the sea. 



