71. Casts of the skulls of the ancient bear of Ireland (ursus arctos), identical with the black variety at present found in Scandinavian forests, were shown by Robert Ball, Esq., LL.D., Dublin. Much valuable information on the animals which have disappeared from Ireland during the period of authentic history will be found in a paper by Dr. Scouler, in the first volume of the "Journal of the Geological Society of Dublin." The doctor seems to think that the bear was not a native of Ireland.

I fear I have long since sufficiently exhausted the patience of the meeting in hearing my dry notices of a few of the antiquities shown in our Great Exhibition this year. I confess my inability to make them interesting without illustrations; and it is evident that, to make many of the notes even intelligible, they should have been fully illustrated with engravings. I shall, therefore, for the present end with my seventy-first note; but may, at some future time, as already stated, make a further selection from my note-books. If ever I should, it will probably be on the ancient stone crosses, doorways, and other architectural objects, of the antiquities court of the Great Dublin Exhibition of 1853.

One remark now suggests itself—at least to me-namely, that it is greatly to be regretted that antiquaries are not supplied with a few more details of the history of each relic of antiquity discovered than is generally given in the proceedings of archæological societies. We seldom or never find more than the bare mention of the article presented and the donor's name, even though the same donation may afterwards turn out to be one of great importance; and where are we to look for information respecting those articles when the donors are dead and gone? Now, the person imbued with anything of an archæological or inquiring spirit who reads the few preceding random notes, cannot but feel the want of some little history of several of the objects mentioned. For instance, how desirable would it be, if we had some data, on which to reason, for Nos. 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 20, 31, 35 (partially), 36 (but something is known of these), 67, and 68. I am persuaded that full, faithful, and accurate accounts of the finding of certain antiquities are very often as valuable as the antiquities themselves. I would, therefore, beg most respectfully to impress upon the finders of antiquities, or those presenting them to learned societies, the great utility of collecting, and sending with their donations, all the information they can obtain concerning the discovery, the circumstances attending it, and many other matters, which will readily suggest themselves to the intelligent in short, all that is known of the object. It will then be for the more practised antiquaries to separate the wheat from the chaff, and to record carefully

the Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator, of December 20, 1853; but as yet poor Mr. Underwood is uncared for! Many of the visitors to the Great Exhibition of

1853, in the Irish antiquities department of which Mr. Underwood was most usefully employed, must have heard of him, if they have not seen him there.

whatever part of the interesting history may appear to them most worthy of being preserved. Very often, every word thus collected and sent with an antiquarian donation is as so much gold, and ought to be scrupulously printed and preserved. How deeply interesting, for instance, to know that golden torques and other regal ornaments have been found on Tara Hill. How interesting, too, to all who love to read of Ancient Ireland, will it be to know something more of the discovery of the extremely valuable and perhaps unequalled hoard of golden ornaments mentioned in the note at p. 287. I have said "unequalled," because I believe the "find" exceeds all previous ones, both in value and number. Numerous instances might be mentioned, where the bare name of the locality and the circumstances connected with the discovery add very considerable interest and value-nay, sometimes its whole interest and value to the article discovered. On the other hand, when an interesting antiquarian relic is presented to a learned society, which is supposed not only to preserve it with the greatest care, but also to give some account of it in its publications; and when, moreover, the donation is accompanied with a full history of the discovery, &c., how very discouraging to the donor, and, what is worse, injurious to the science of archæology, if no account or part of that history is given to the public! Our archæological science is far behind in this respect; and we have not, by any means, sufficient printed matter in proportion to the numerous, valuable, and truly national antiquarian treasures existing in Ireland.

THE PAGAN CEMETERY AT BALLON HILL, COUNTY OF CARLOW.

BY THE REV. JAMES GRAVES, A.B.

Of the unwritten history of the far back past, few pages have been so little read, and yet not one is so full of important and deeply interesting lore, as the sepulchres of the dead. Often, it is true, have the barrow, the cist, or the tumulus, been rudely torn open by the hand of the spoiler, or the idly curious; but how seldom have they been intelligently examined? It reflects but little credit on the archeologists of Ireland that no systematic attempt has ever yet been made to read this page of its "prehistoric annals"! Why have we not a Society established with such an object for its aim? We have very properly associated ourselves to investigate the general antiquities of the island; to print its ancient literature, its music, and its romances;

why not have a club of "delvers," an exploration society, with its corps of engineers, draughtsmen, and scientific observers, whose business it should be to examine the primeval sepulchres of the country, not idly, not irreverently, not as desultory diggers-but with due care, circumspection, and caution; noting down every peculiarity, making accurate measured drawings, and depositing, in a central museum, the crania, the arms, the implements, and ornaments, sure to be discovered in abundance? Here is work for energetic men to do-ay, and good work, too. In the meantime, no opportunity should be lost of placing on record the results of private explorations; and, in furtherance of such a desirable object, I beg to claim the indulgence of the Society, whilst I endeavour to describe the particulars of one of the most curious and important discoveries yet made in the field of Irish sepulchral remains-I allude to the exploration of the ancient Pagan cemetery on Ballon Hill. And I must the rather ask for this measure of indulgence, because I have not been myself present at these successful "diggings;" having, however, visited the locality, and seen the matchless collection of fictile vessels which have rewarded the exertions of the enthusiastic and lucky explorer, Mr. J. Richardson Smith, I may be allowed to have a voice in the matter.

Ballon Hill-situated about midway between Fenagh and Tullow in the county of Carlow-is remarkable for its regularly-formed conical shape and isolated position; rising, as it does, from the level and richly-cultivated tract, of which that portion of Carlow is composed. Although of no very great altitude, perhaps not more than about two hundred and fifty feet above the surrounding plain, it is a most conspicuous object; and its summit commands an extensive view-nine counties being said to be visible from it. Geologically speaking, the hill consists of granite, protruding, as I am informed, from, and insulated by, a tract of lime-stone. The surface of the granite, which forms the hill, is covered by a "bearing" of yellow sand and earth, of depth varying from about four feet to twelve inches. On the summit, where now stands a small pile of modern masonry, were formerly large and curious intrenchments, locally known as "the walls of Troy." These (the hill having been until lately a common) have from time to time been all carted away by the neighbouring farmers for manure, so that not a trace of them now remains. The fact of the hill having been formerly a common, should not be lost sight of, as it tends to show that some feeling prevailed in the neighbourhood as to the sacredness of the spot a feeling akin to that which happily saves many a rath and tumulus from wanton destruction. At present the greater part of the hill is the property, and forms part of the demesne, of John Lecky, Esq., of Ballykealy. As far back as the memory of the present generation reaches, discovery had been made, everywhere over the surface of the hill, of what the peasantry called "pans" or "crocks," which, containing nothing but calcined bones, were invariably broken, when the usual incantations

did not change the bones into gold. Large numbers of fictile vessels had been destroyed in planting the trees with which the hill is now partially covered. One man said he had smashed four perfect urns in a day, another (a quarry-man) reported that he had broken eleven found close together in the quarry opened on the top of the hill.

In consequence of these reports Mr. Smith (then staying with his brother-in-law, Mr. Lecky, at Ballykealy) commenced a systematic exploration of the hill on June 14th, 1853; his labours have been resumed, at intervals, down to January, 1854, and the result has been the most wonderful collection of ancient fictile vessels to be found in Ireland. The "diggings" commenced at a large block of granite, resting on the hill side, immediately over Ballykealy house. This boulder measures nineteen feet by twelve in its largest dimensions; it is of a pyramidal shape, rising about eight feet above the surface, and extending three feet beneath it. This stone has been known from time immemorial amongst the peasantry by the name of Cloghan-na-marabhan, i.e. the stone of the dead. Mr. Smith states that it proved to be supported by granite blocks at each end;1 and, on clearing away the soil, three human skeletons were found beneath it, huddled together in a small space not above two feet in length. The skeletons presented no trace of cremation. On further excavation, to such a depth that one could sit upright beneath the great covering stone, four large blocks of granite were turned over; and, at a considerable depth, a bed of charcoal was discovered, with broken urns of four distinct patterns. At another spot, also, a fine urn was found embedded in sand, but it could not be preserved. At a subsequent period, when I myself was present, similar fragile remains of fictile vessels were turned up, at the end of this boulder stone, externally.

I am informed by Mr. Smith that he next commenced operations on the top of the hill, where a large bed of charred wood and burned bones was struck on, two feet under the sod. In the neighbouring quarry search was made in spots where the "bearing" had remained undisturbed, and there an urn was found, laid on its side in the sand: it was quite hard and perfect, and presents an ornamental pattern of much interest. Many bones were found around this urn, and a few within it. The site of the old rath was then examined; here digging proved most difficult, as it was paved with great blocks of stone, set on end, and fitting close together. Great quantities of burned bones and charcoal appeared between the stones, and under the pavement; here half of an urn was found, and fragments of two others. The excavation was carried on to the depth of six feet, bones being

So far as an after examination would allow one to judge, I am inclined to think that this boulder, one of many that are scattered over the hill, is untouched by

man, either as to shape or position. It has, however, evidently been excavated beneath and used as a place of burial in very remote ages, and, perhaps, by different races.

still found at that depth, but no urns. As the digging proceeded, on June 23rd, a large urn was uncovered, resting in an inverted position, and quite perfect. The sod, or scraugh, which had been used to cover the mouth of the vessel, and prevent the bones which it contained from falling out, still held together. This urn is rudely decorated with an impressed chevron pattern, and two nearly equidistant raised hoops or rings: it measures fifteen and a-half inches in height, and nearly fourteen inches in width, and is accurately represented in the accompanying plate (plate 1, fig. 3). It was not enclosed by a cist. Near it was found another of large size, and strong pottery, but broken. After various trials on other spots, which resulted in the discovery of many beds of bones and charcoal only, the work was resumed on the site of the rath, where a great layer of burned bones and charcoal was lighted on: at length a large slab, weighing about two cwt., appeared, and, on turning this over, a cist was discovered, two feet long by one foot wide, its longest direction lying north and south: it was filled with fine sand, in which lay an urn of very elaborate pattern, which, from having been squeezed in on one side while soft, would appear to have been placed in the cist in an unbaked state, a circumstance which, perhaps, may serve to indicate that the fictile vessels, found in such profusion on the hill, were fabricated on the spot. In the course of further investigation a five-sided chamber was found, walled in with long slabs in a workmanlike manner, and covered by a large stone. When the latter was removed, the cist appeared filled with sand. A portion of a thin lamellar javelin-head, or dagger-blade of bronze, lay near the top. is very much corroded, but is curious, as presenting the only example of weapon or implement found during the entire operations on the hill, although bronze spear-heads of the usual form have been frequently found in the neighbourhood, two of which, dug up near the base of the hill, are in Mr. Leckey's possession. Deeper in the sand was found a fictile vessel about the size of a large tea-cup: contained some very small bones, was as fresh as when made, and presents an example of carefully finished tooled work. It has been lithographed at full size (plate 3, fig. 13). At a greater depth in the sand was found a larger urn inverted, of less striking form and ornamental design. On raising this larger vessel from its inverted position, beneath it were seen, placed in a triangular position, three small smooth pebbles, surrounded by a few pieces of burned bones, and a little impalpable white powder; of the pebbles one was white, one black, and the third (which is much smaller than the other two) of a greenish tinge, spotted with a darker shade. All appear to be sea-shore pebbles, and numbers of a character similar to the speckled one, described above, may be picked up on the Wexford coast of the Waterford harbour, near Duncannon. I believe the markings on both to be derived from manganetic iron-ore. These stones were probably valued as charms or amulets. It is a remarkable coincidence to find

: it