The moft common forms in which thefe Sceptres, fculptured on the Caledon ^ 
monuments, are found, being feparately marked at i, 2, 3, gives opportunity 
comparing them with thofe on old Scotch coins, copied underneath, with the rtlp , 
and sera affixed. Some of the oldeft fculptured figures of the Kings of France ho 
fceptres in their hands, of the form of that marked, France iioo. 
Thefe are only fubjoined to authenticate the origin of thefe otherwife inexpl' 
cable trophies. 
The more complex ornaments of a fimilar nature, which frequently embell^ 
thefe ancient carved ftones of North Britain, of which fpecimens are given at 
and D, admit of an eafy explanation alfo, from being compared with refemblin# 
remains of antiquity in other countries. 
The fhields of warriors were ornamented with circles, like thofe at C and p’ 
enriched with various flowerings, before the infignia of arms gave them fup efI ^ 
diftindlion : and reprefentations of thefe fhields of faints and heroes are f 011 * 1 
on many monumental ftones on the continent, which were carved in the twe 1 
century. 
The fceptres and fhields linked together by certain bands, as in thofe figures 1 
the lower part of the plate, indicate the union of great perfonages of din ere 
houfes or kingdoms ; as it is ufual now, on intermarriages of rank, to enable 
the fhield of the coat of arms with the infignia of both families. Thefe rentin' 
may ferve to afcertain the import of the otherwife feemingly unimportant ern 
lifhments which appear on feveral of the obelifks, of which engravings were g" 7 
in former numbers. 
1.1 Cf 
The urn, which fills the middle part of this plate, was drawn from one lately 
up out of a tumulus, not far from Cafile Findlater in Banffjhire. It was encloftd 
large flags of ftone, which defended it from being crufhed by the incumbent rub 
of the earn. It had been moft elaborately wrought, with a rude kind of carvin# 
was full of alhes and fmall pieces of bone, when found ; and the clay had been 
thoroughly hardened in the burning, that on ftriking it, it rings as a china 
There were fragments of other urns in the earn, but their ftone enclofures h& v ^ 
given way, their carvings were obliterated, and their form wholly loft. They ^ 
experienced, in their fubterraneous abode, as all things muft, the fatal and i r,e 
tible effects of time. 8 
