273 



**0n the sites occupied during both these periods it is not unusual 

 to see, in close proximity with a pile worn down to the bottom, others 

 which stand up from 2 to 4 feet, having been doubtless renewed during 

 the bronze period." 



Mr. Starkey stated that the difficulty of extracting these piles from 

 the bed of the lake, whole and uninjured, is great. A boat is steadied 

 immediately over the place where they appear ; a kind of forceps is used, 

 from 12 to 15 feet long, by which the stake selected is seized at the point 

 where it emerges from the silt, rocked gently to-and-fro for some time, 

 and then carefully drawn upwards, from a depth ranging from 10 to 14 

 feet. The principal cause of the difficulty is the sponginess ofthat'por- 

 tion of the stake which has been sunk in the silt. It is almost as fragile 

 as a fungus or mushroom, whereas the portion that has been in the water 

 is comparatively sound. 



Mr. Starkey stated that he had himself, instructed by M. Troyon, 

 visited one of these sites at Morges, on the north shore of the Lake of 

 Geneva, and distinctly seen, at a depth of about 12 feet, the ranges of 

 piles, extending at unequal intervals, over an area of from 12 to 14 acres. 

 Objects of antiquity, in stone, bronze, horn, &c., are taken up in vast 

 numbers, by means of instruments constructed for the purpose, on or 

 near these sites, of which, as M. Troyon informed Mr. Starkey, there 

 are more than twenty in the Lake of Geneva alone. 



The attention of the Academy having been called to the recent death 

 of Professor. Siegfried, 



It was proposed by the Eev. William Beeves, D. D., and seconded 

 by the Eev. J. H. Todd, D. D., and— 



Eesolved, — That the Academy has received with the deepest regret 

 the intelligence of the lamented death of Professor Siegfried; and, 

 although he was not a member of its body, avails itself of the present 

 opportunity to testify its respect for a scholar of such distinction, who 

 had so cordially made Ireland his home, and her language the favoured 

 subject of his valuable studies. 



It was proposed by W. E. "Wilde, Y. P., and seconded by H. H. 

 Stewart, M. D., and — 



Eesolved, — That the Academy, as a body, attend the funeral of 

 Dr. Siegfried. 



The corporation seal of the borough of Belturbet was presented to 

 the Museum of the Academy by the Earl of Eelmore. 



The thanks of the Academy were returned to Lord Eelmore. 



