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THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 285 reredos. I may perhaps add here tbat no trace of the original altar exists in either instance. " A ranjje of niches on a smaller and less elaborate scale in the east wall of the north aisle of the chancel, and a piscina and sedilia of the ]Iiddlc Pointed Period on the south side of the chancel, were also brought to light, together with the original entrance into the sacristy, which had been closed up, and a modern entrance substituted. Of all of these I took memoranda, but have not had time hitherto to draw them to scale. I hope to lay them before the Institute at a future meeting. " In conclusion, I think it right to add, that the churchwardens of St. Cuthbert's Church, and indeed all the otficials, have shown the greatest zeal in endeavouring to preserve from further injury, to the utmost of theii* power, these most interesting memorials." The Society are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Ferrey, through whose instrumentality the drawings executed by Mr. DoUman have been obtained ; and by whose liberality (aided by some members of the central committee) a considerable portion of the expense incurred was defrayed, and these valuable memorials added to the collections of the Institute. Mr. Alexander Nesbitt communicated a notice of a singular vessel, probably a fjntturnium, or ewer, used for pouring water over the hands, as customary after a repast in ancient times ; it appears to have been fashioned after an oriental model, and is in the form of a lion statant, with a stag s head issuing from the breast. It is in the possession of ]Ir. Kilpatrick Sharpe, of Edinbui-gh. " It was found," Mr. Nesbitt stated, " several years since in a recess or niche in the wall of one of the vaidts under the ancient castle of Hoddam in Annandale, the property and residence of Mi". Sharpe's family. It is composed of mixed yellow metal, or bronze, and measures about 1 2 inches long, by about the same in height. Upon the head of the lion there is a sc[uare opening, covered by a hinged lid ; and behind the horns on the stag's head is a small round hole, which probably communicated with a passage traversing the stag's head ; the interior of this pai-t being however much clogged with dirt, I was unable to ascertain this with certainty. This small round hole has the appearance of having served for the insertion of that part of a cock, which is turned in order to allow the flow of the liquid contained in the vessel to which it may be attached. To the back of the lion is attached a nondescript animal, forming a kind of handle. " Mr. Sharpe pointed out to me in the work of Lorentz Diderich Kliiwer, called ' Norske Mindesman-ker,' (published at Christiana in 1S23,) engravings of three vessels of somewhat similar character. " From Kliiwer's remarks it appears that one of these was fouiul near Tronyem ; another in the province of Helgeland, and that the third had been preserved from time immemorial at INIolda, — all in Norway. The last is very curious, representing a mounted knight, in mailed armour, with a flat topped helm ; date early in the thirteenth century. They are stated to be of 'brass composition,' and about the same size, viz. about 10 inches long, and G inches high ; the latter measure must however be an error, as they are obviously about as high as long. The apertures in all present the same peculiarities, having an opening of moderate size provided with a lid at VOL. VL Q Q