tions:— "In the description of the splendid garb of Ulysses, the wrapper, called χλαῖνα, læna (Odyss., xix., 225). the fibula (περόνη), is said to have been provided with two small tubes (αὐλοῖσιν διδύμοισιν), probably for admitting the acus, a contrivance which would secure the woollen cloth from being torn. The Scholiast explains this expression as signifying straight rods, into which the pins are locked: ράβδοι εὐθέιαι, εις ἅς κατακλέιονται ἁι περόναι. The Scholiast, published by Mai, explains it thus:—Ἀνατάτεοι δυοὶ, two extensions before the wrapper; ἐπάνωθεν τῆς πόρπης ἐξημένους, that is, sewed above the brooch. The meaning of this is obscure."
Mr. Yates supposes that the fibula must have been used with two small metal plates formed with tubes, and sewed on to the two edges of the garment, at the part where they were to be brought together; so that the acus might be passed through them without risk of injury to the texture. The annexed woodcut will illustrate the mode in which Mr. Yates suggests that this adjustment might be effected.
Dr. Thurnam offered some observations on a collection of Norwegian relics in his possession, which were laid before the meeting on this occasion. These objects were obtained by Dr. Thurnam in the course of a visit to Norway during the autumn of last year. They were all reported to have been taken from tumuli in the south east division of that country; some of them being presented by peasant proprietors, who bad themselves dug them out of tumuli on their own farms. Others were the gift of a distinguished archaeologist at Christiana. They consist of a remarkably fine sword, an axe, spear-head, knives, umbo of a shield, and a spur of iron; a large and fine tortoise-shaped fibula,[1] in two portions, with fragments of other ornaments, of bronze; a few glass beads, fragments of peculiarly ornamented pottery, and the tooth of a bear.
Dr. Thurnam gave also the following account of several interesting objects (of which drawings were exhibited) from a large Anglo-Saxon tumular cemetery near Driffield, E. R. Yorkshire. "This tumulus, previously in part examined, was more fully explored by the Yorkshire Antiquarian Club, in the summer of 1849. The objects found consist of spear-heads, knives of various sizes, scissors, umbones, handles, and other parts of the tire of shields, with other articles of unknown use;—iron fibulæ, of cruciform and circular shape, and other ornaments of bronze; pendants of crystal and beads of amber, glass, and vitrified paste,—some of the latter of curious and beautiful manufacture. Remains of fictile vases were also found. This entire collection of Anglo-Saxon remains, hitherto so rarely found within the limits of the Northumbrian kingdom, is deposited in the Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, at York."
Mr. T. Hudson Turner read the first portion of his researches relative to the Order of Knights Templars, comprising some new facts and observations on their history and establishment in England.
The Rev. William Gunner gave a selection of curious extracts from the Bursarial Rolls of Winchester College. (See p. 79 in this volume.)
The Rev. William Dyke communicated a parchment roll of Prayers to
- ↑ Compare the fine fibula of this type, communicated by Mr. W. Hylton Longstaffe, Arch. Journal, vol. v., p. 220.
