to the Edwardian period. These mounds were surmounted with works in stone or wood, and must have served rather as places of occasional retreat in case of attack, than a permanent residence. At no great distance is the last remaining one of three cromlechs which were standing in Pennant's time; and even this surviving one has within the last few years suffered the loss of one of the supporters, so that the cap-stone is now partially resting on the ground. This stone is of large size for a Welsh cromlech, measuring fourteen feet by twelve. Its thickness is, however, inconsiderable, being only fourteen inches. No traces of cups or circles could be found upon it. Still further on is another of these sepulchral monuments, not very large, but tolerably perfect, with the exception of one or two of the supporting slabs. The other supporters are of such equal dimensions that the cap-stone lies perfectly horizontal. Criccieth Castle is more remarkable for its fine position than for size or interest. The principal apartments were in the round towers flanking the main entrance, the space enclosed by the walls of the building being an irregular trapezium. Beyond it is another court, the works continuing to the edge of the cliff. Pennant does not doubt that this was the work of some Welsh prince, and that Edward I merely cased the towers at the entrance, giving them their present round form, the interior being square. There can, however, be as little doubt that the whole of the present Castle is of Edward's work, although it is by no means improbable that some native prince may have had his castle there; which could, however, form no part of the present building, being evidently by the same hand as the portion assigned to Edward by Pennant himself. The church at Criccieth has nothing remarkable about it. It is of late Perpendicular, and good of its kind. Time not allowing a contemplated visit to Penturc, the excursionists proceeded to Llanelhaiarn, at the foot of the mountain on which Treceiri stands. The fine incised stone found a few years ago near the churchyard, and now in the schoolroom, has been noticed by Professor Westwood (Arch. Camb., 1867, p. 342). Pennant has given a long account of Treceiri, and illustrated it with a rude map. Mr. Parry, of Madryn, has also noticed the work and given a map of it on a smaller scale. The object of the present visit was to secure some accurate representation of some portions of the work before the work of destruction, now going on with activity, has swept them away. An account of this visit will appear shortly in the Journal. The last object visited was a cromlech close to the village of Four Crosses, and which is in tolerable preservation. It presents a peculiarity as to the size and position of the supporting stones, and which appear to have been intentional on the part of the original builders. But a more remarkable circumstance connected with it is the fact that the monument has given the name of Cromlech to the farm on which it stands, and that such has been the name of the farm from time immemorial. Rowland, the author of Mona Antiqua, is sometimes thought to have been the first to have called such chambers by this name, and he died a short time before 1723. Whether any deeds are in existence anterior to 1700 cannot be ascertained. The farm was once a portion of the Cors-y-gedol estate, but was sold some years ago by the then owner. But whatever may be the age of the name, it is curious that this particular monument should have given its name to the land, and that, too, in a district where among the peasants such monuments are hardly ever known by the name of cromlech. Thus satisfactorily concluded the twenty-second meeting of the Cambrian Archæological Association. On account of local difficulties, no temporary museum was established. The following gentlemen have contributed to the Local Fund up to this date, October 20, 1868: ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS. VOL. XIV. THIRD SERIES. ABERDARON Church, Caernarvon- Alliances, matrimonial, of the royal family of England with the princes and magnates of Wales, Anglo-Saxon and Irish MSS., Ancient interments, etc., in An- Archæology of the Peak of Der- byshire, by H. Vale; review of,95 Architecture, domestic, of South Arwystli, ancient, camps, etc., 1 Beaumaris, free school of, and 97 Brieuc, St., Normandy, interna. tional congress at, 213 Burghill, Herefordshire, incised Cambrian Archæological Associa- tion, preliminary notice of meet- meeting at Portmadoc, statement of expenditure Cartulary of Margam, contribution towards, 24, 182, 345 Celtic Tumuli of Dorset, by Warne; Clynnog Vawr, St. Beuno's chest Smith, vol. vi; review of, 455 32 Subterranean chambers at La Tourelle, Brittany, 293 Urns, sepulchral, etc., in Anglesey and North Wales, 217 Water-stoups in Wales and Cornwall, 166, 443 Welsh language, notice of dictionary of, by D. S. Evans, 211, 343 Williams alias Cromwell, family pedigree, 342, 343 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Earthwork at the Moat Farm, Arwystli Earthwork on Rhyd-yr-Owen Farm, Arwystli Sculptured Slab, Burghill, Herefordshire St. Beuno's Chest, Clynnog Vawr Iron Fetters and Mace, Dinas Mawddwy Porth Dafarch, Holyhead Island Fragment of the large Urn found at Porth Dafarch The larger Urn restored, etc. Small cinerary Urn Urn, as supposed, of Bronwen, daughter of Llyr Drinking Cup, fragments found with ditto Urn found near Tomen y Mur Bronze Blade and relic of Flint found in Figs. 13 and 14. Plate Urn Flint Knife found in an Urn near Llangollen Three Urns found on Mynydd Carn Goch, near Swansea |