Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/256

188 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF " The more elaborate objects, now laid before the Institute, were exhumed from the same spot, having been preserved from day to day as the men proceeded with their work. Amongst these, one relic appears to be a portion of a spear-head, and it is interesting from the paucity of remains of a warlike description found at Corinium. I have also sent some other examples of objects in iron, the purpose of which it is very difiScult to determine ; these, and nails in great variety, are all the specimens here discovered of that material, I would call attention to a group of five forms oi Armillw, of bronze, which are of interest as being found amidst such mixed objects ; ^ those represented in the ' Remains of Roman Art ' were obtained from the burial-ground of the Romans, beyond the western wall of the Castrum. — (See the Notice of that volume, Archaeological Journal, vol. vii, p. 410.) — Amongst the Fibulce occur some of well-known forms, with others of less common type, one of them a specimen of the rare fashion, well illustrated by that found at St. Albans. (Archseol. Journal, vol. vii, p. 399.) Another, of the bow-shaped type, is elegantly formed with three distinct curved ribs. One, somewhat similar, with two ribs only, found on the site of the Roman baths at York, was exhibited at a meeting of the Institute by Mr. Whincopp. One of these ornaments is still quite perfect, and might be employed for that same purpose for which it was originally formed, some centuries ago. Other objects appear to belong to the class of articles for the toilet, one of them probably an instrument for cleaning the nails, in which the neat style of ornament and the stone of a green colour, bearing some resemblance to malachite, on the top, afi'ord a good example of the general care bestowed by the Romans in the construction of minor objects and implements of this description. Amongst the rings discovered, some are plain, and were perhaps not finger rings ; one of those exhibited, however, was undoubtedly for the finger, and probably was set with an intaglio or gem of some kind. Another is ' penannular,' the tapered extremities being crossed, but not united, a mode of construction which admitted of the expansion of the ornament to fit any finger. There is also a Bulla or pendant of the same character as that discovered at Reculver, and figured by Battely (Antiq. Rutupinse, p. 129), noticed also and copied by Mr. R. Smith, in the ' Antiquities of Richborough,' pi. vii. p. 207.^ The specimen now produced presents the heart-shaped form, but it does not contain any cavity in which perfume or relics could be deposited. Its style of ornamentation is curious ; not being produced by engraving, but by cutting away portions of the metal, which perhaps exposed the colour of the material to which it was fastened ; this indeed might have been the receptacle or reliquary, as Bronzeimpiement. t^gre appear indications that this little object was originally of considerable thickness. There is an example of the ligula, of the usual form of Roman spoons with the pointed handle. In this example a small impressed ornament of concentric circles at intervals around the margin in the bowl of the spoon must not be overlooked, •* These armHfc bear much resemblance to those found in the rubbish-pit at Cadbury Camp, Devon. Archaeol. Journal, vol. v., p. 193. •• Compare other specimens. Montf. Antiq. t. iii., pi. 37.