(?95 ) 
IV- A Letter from Mr, Ralph Thoresby, F, R, 
to Dr, Hans Sloane, S, ^^ec. coftcernit^g fome 
Ancient Brafs hifiruments fontid in YorkQiire. 
Honoured S I Ry 
W Eapons of Brafs having been difcontinued for 
many Ages, it may not perhaps be unaccep- 
table to you to have an Account of fome that were ' 
lately found in thefe Parts 5 for \vhat ufe they were 
originally ddigned I dare not determine, fo fhall on- 
ly relate Matter of Fact as to the difcovery of them, 
and give you their form, defiring your Sentiment's ot 
them, and fuch ingenious Gentlemen as you may pleafe 
to communicate this unto. 
As the Servants of Mr. Ellis of Kidcld (Father to 
the prefent Sheiiff of the County) were Plowing in a 
Place called Ofmond-thicl{, near the noted Bramham-Moor, 
they difcovered five or fix Brafs Infiruments, which are of 
different fizes, from little more than 3 to 4 Inches and 
an half in length, and from i and a half to 2 Inches and 
an half in breadth.* They are fomewhat in thefoim of 
a Wedge, as proceeding from a thin Edge, which after 
fo many Ages is tollerably fliarp, to i and an half or 
2 Inches ac the thicker end, where they are wrou^^ht 
hollow to put upon a Shaft .* Each of them has an Ear 
or Loop, which that you may the better perceive the 
form of, I have added the Figure of one (in its exad tU Pbu 
fize) that was fen t to this Repofitory. Some fuppofe 
them to have been ArrorpsAjcads, or Axes of the ancient 
Britains ; others, thofe of the Roman Cat'apult£ ^ but \ 
think they are as much to heavy for the firft, as they are 
N n n too ^ 
