424 



were got deep down, near the margin.'' He bought altogether over 300 

 tons. " The excavations were carried on by women ; and, as they teemed 

 out none of them, they worked en chemise. Among the bones were 

 perfect heads of oxen, sheep, goats, deer, pigs, and what seemed to be 

 large dogs or wolves. There was also exhumed the head of a Mega- 

 ceros Hihernicus, which measured over 13 feet from the tip to tip of its 

 horns." This he had for some time in his possession, but unfortunately 

 it was accidentally smashed to pieces. Mr. Jukes suggests that finding 

 this here may not prove that the Megaceros was killed by the people of 

 that age, as they may have found it, and put it up for an ornament or 

 trophy, as is done at the present day. Besides the bones, Mr. Silk got 

 the following articles, but unfortunately he is unable to say whether 

 they were got high up or low down in the workings : — 



Iron Shears. — These were made on the same principle as the sheep 

 shears of the present day ; but some of them were so small and fine 

 that they might have been used by any lady as scissors." Some of 

 the best of these he gave to Lord Clancarty. 



A brass pin, about 5 inches long, with a swivel head. ^' This looked 

 like one of the readiers that soldiers used when they had match- 

 locks." 



A cro%ier, made of brass, inlaid with rectangular pieces of silver. This 

 he sold for £5, and thinks that it is in the Sluseum of the Ro^'al 

 Irish Academy ; as the gentleman who bought it from him told him 

 " that he had put it in the Museum." 



A lattleaxe. — This was about 15 inches long. It had a hatchet on one 

 side, and seemed to have had a spike on the other. The socket for 

 the handle was very rudely forged. He gave this along with the 

 crozier for the £5. 



A cast for a coin. — This was an iron box, about 7x5x3 inches, which 

 opened in the centre. It was filled with a white substance, like 

 plaster of Paris, in which the die was made. On the outside were 

 two clips to keep the box close fastened, and a round hole for pouring 

 in the metal. Unfortunately he did not know the value of it, and 

 left it knocking about. Afterwards the idea came into his head of 

 taking an impression from the cast but when he opened the box, the 

 white substance had fallen to pieces. The box he set no value on, 

 and does not know what has become of it. 



A hammered iron vessel. — This was about the size of a large cup, but 

 went down more square to the bottom. It looked as if it had been 

 used for smelting purposes ; and he afterward gave it to a farmer for 

 melting lead in. 



* Since the above was read, Mr. Ryan, of Cuscarrick, Loughrea, has presented a 

 seimicircular knife, about 7 inches long by f th of an inch wide, which he says was found 

 in this cranuoge. It has been put along with the rest of tlie collection in the Royal Irish 

 Academy. 



