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158
CIVIL HISTORY, 1154-1399.
[1380.

of gunpowder, wadded with oakum. Of numerous balls discovered, some were of granite of from 3½ to 6 inches in diameter; one was


ANCIENT GUNS AND SHOT, RECOVERED AT WALNEY.
(Supposed temp. Richard II.)
(Now in the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty.)

of grey sandstone 6 inches in diameter; one was clay ironstone of the same size; one was of hammered iron 5½ inches in diameter; one was of cast iron, 2 inches in diameter;
ANCIENT DIVIDERS OR COMPASSES, PROBABLY DATING FROM THE TIME OF RICHARD II.
(Now preserved in the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty.)
(The points are not shown.)
and two were lead shot, one having a flint pebble, and the other a square piece of hammered iron as the kernel.

With the Walney Island relics which are above described, and which, as has been said, have been attributed to the last years of the fourteenth century, a curious pair of brass dividers or "compasses" was discovered. This instrument, the upper part of which is shown in the annexed sketch, is so contrived as to open when pressure is applied to the bowed parts of the legs, and to close when pressure is applied to the straight parts. The relic is preserved in the Hydrographic