(reviewed in this number), calls our attention to the bird's claw ogham, upon which he makes the following remarks :— "One of the extracts, from old records relative to the origin of letters, published in the Coelbren y Beirdd, is so applicable to the subject of Ogham characters, that I recommend you to give your readers the following translation of it : Einigan Gawr (the giant) beheld three pillars of light, and on them were visible all past and future sciences whatever. And he took three rods of the quicken tree, and engraved thereon the forms and signs of all the sciences that the memory of them might be preserved. And he exhibited them, and all persons who saw them misunderstood and falsely contemplated them, making a god of the rods, whereas these only bore his name. When Einigan perceived that, he was much grieved, and from the intensity of his sorrow he broke the three rods, and no others were found having on them correct sciences. He was therefore so overwhelmed with grief, that from its intensity he burst asunder; and with his parting breath he prayed God that there should be found correct sciences and a right understanding for the proper contemplation thereof amongst mortal men. And after the lapse of a year and a day, following the decease of Einigan, Menw ap y Teirgwaedd (the three cries) beheld three rods growing out of Einigan's mouth, which exhibited the sciences of the ten letters, and the order or disposition of all the sciences of language and speech, as well as all the sciences which are distinguished by language and speech. He then took the rods and taught all the sciences therefrom, with the exception of the name of God, and a secret was therefore employed lest there should be a false perception of the name; hence the origin of the secret of Bardism possessed by the Bards of the isle of Britain. And God protected the secret, and under his protection gave to Menw a very discreet understanding of the sciences, which understanding was designated a genius (Awen) from God, and blessed he who shall obtain it. Amen, so be it.' “The Bardic symbol is formed of three radiating lines /|\ which, it is said, are intended to represent the three diverging rays of light, which Einigan saw; and it is remarkable that these three lines contain all the elements of the Bardic Alphabet, as there is not a single letter in it that is not formed of some of these lines. 6 "Now, are those scores on the left angle of the Kenfegge Stone, Glamorganshire, (the last and most genuine home of Bardo-Druidism) any thing more than representations of the Bardic symbol? The Bards inscribed on stones. Our triads speak of the stones of Gwyddon Ganhebon, on which were read the arts and sciences of the world.' Mr. Windele, I find, says he never found any scorings of that form before. Indeed, if these arrow heads had been alone on the stone, I should have considered them most certainly as nothing but the Druidical rays; but then come the other forms on the other angle, to create a difficulty which I cannot get over consistently with this theory. "The character /|\ is one way in which the name of God is written in the Bardic mystery." ANTIQUARIAN QUESTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS. No. II.-ROMAN REMAINS.-PART II. 16. Are there any traces of aqueducts, whether aboveground or underground? If the latter, the form, dimensions, and substance of the conduits or pipes should be particularly noticed; as well as the geographical features of the district affecting the supply of water. 17. In any Roman building that may be discovered, are there any traces of apparatus for warming the apartments by flues passing under the floors, or for warm baths? (For a good popular account of the construction and furniture of a Roman dwelling, see Pompeii, 2 vols. 8vo. published by C. Knight, London.) 18. Are there any traces of plaster or stucco applied to the inner or outer walls of the dwelling? and of what colours? 19. In case of excavations leading to the discovery of any Roman building, the soil covering it should always be carefully sifted, in order to detect coins and other objects of art. These are often found in the darker coloured soil which commonly occurs on the site of ancient habitations. The depth of soil, and its physical composition, should be examined and recorded. Accurate plans, with the bearings, &c., set out on a scale, should be made of all excavations of this nature. 20. In any Roman town or stations, are there traces of streets observable? paved or otherwise? any marks of wheels, &c.? 21. What are the debris found connected with a Roman house? what shells, bones of animals, iron or bronze instruments, and other objects, are observable? are any seeds of plants to be found? 22. Are there any traces of a Roman amphitheatre? in earth or in masonry? or of a Roman theatre, semicircular or elongated? or of a Roman temple? In all such instances too careful search cannot be made for objects of art, such as capitals, friezes, bassi-rilievi, statues, &c. 23. Are there any remains of a Roman bridge? or any spot on a stream, where a bridge may be supposed to have existed? If so, it is not impossible that the bed of the stream, in its immediate vicinity, may yield relics of Roman art. In the case of a river flowing by a Roman station, the dredging of its channel may bring Roman remains to light. 24. Have any arms, fragments of helmets, torques, shields, spearheads, or swords been found? are they of bronze or of what metal? All such articles should be carefully delineated if possible, and should be treated with caution to prevent injury, before depositing them in any local museum or collection. 25. What coins have been found? The size, metal, effigies, and inscription should be accurately noted; especial care being taken not to clean the coins in any way whatever, before they have been inspected by some competent person, and compared with the larger works on Roman numismatics. It is rarely that a legend is correctly decyphered, except by persons experienced in such matters (Refer to Mionnet's Works on Numismatics, when practicable.) 26. What kind of vases or pottery ware have been found? fine or coarse? of a dull or bright red colour? or black with coloured figures? are the devices in relief or flat? Delineations of the several objects are here important. 27. Have any vessels of glass been discovered? what is their form? their colour? any fragments of vases of various ARCHÆOL. CAMB. VOL. I.] 3 B kinds, and of coloured glass, superimposed in layers, one over the other? Objects of this kind are always valuable. 28. Minute descriptions should be given of the substance and composition of any articles that may be found; fragments of marble should be kept; and in general whatever objects are found in excavations amongst Roman buildings should be carefully preserved, until an opportunity occurs for consulting some well-informed antiquary respecting them. It should be remembered that all such remains are of far greater value when placed in a public museum, where they can be inspected and compared, than when locked up in the cases of a private collection. And in the event of its being found inconvenient to preserve the remains of Roman edifices, &c., by erecting suitable buildings over, or fences around, them, good taste and sound moral feeling equally demand that these remains should not be appropriated to common purposes, but should be carefully covered up again with their original soil; so that, at least, the friendly bosom of the earth may again give them shelter, and preserve them for a more intelligent generation. ON THE ROMAN ROADS IN CAERNARVONSHIRE AND MERIONETHSHIRE. DURING the summer of 1845 a party of antiquaries explored that portion of the Roman road in Caernarvonshire which led from CONOVIUM to Aber, on the way to SEGONTIUM, and an account of their proceedings was given in our pages (No. I., p. 70, et seq.) In the month of July last, it was determined to carry on the system of observations, and, if possible, to complete the survey. Several circumstances, however, hindered the attainment of results as decisive and as clear as could be desired. The weather, throughout nearly the whole of that period, was such as greatly to impede all operations on the higher grounds; and again, various engagements prevented the party from consisting of more than two,-James Dearden, Esq. and the Rev. H. L. Jones. Such as the results are, however, we lay them before our readers, premising that we still look for further information upon the subject from future investigations, and that we consider the observations of these gentlemen as only opening the way to a fuller solution of the question. On examining the geographical positions and bearings of the two principal stations in Caernarvonshire, CONOVIUM, and SEGONTIUM, and on carefully considering the physical features of the country, it was evident that the road from Aber (where the survey of 1845 left it) to SEGONTIUM Would have to be looked for along a line passing through the parishes of Llanllechid, Llandegai, Bangor (or its district Pentir), Llandeniolen, and Llanbublic, or Caernarvon. But it was also to be expected that, from all this tract being under cultivation, few positive indications would be met with. The party commenced at Aber, and found there an old line of narrow paved road, said by local tradition to be the Roman Road, running from behind the church in the direction of Llandegai. Nothing could be heard of any Roman remains having ever been observed at that spot; nor did the formation of the road itself, which was uneven and deviated greatly from the straight line, bear any thing Roman in its appearance. Between this road and the new coach road, about a quarter of a mile from Aber, is an artificial work in a field, partly circular in form, which may have been made by the Welsh, but at what period is quite uncertain, to defend the passage through these low grounds. On the northern side of the coach road, opposite this work, is a tumulus overgrown with trees, but sufficiently apparent. The survey was continued without any success, or the slightest indication of a Roman road, along the old line of road, as far as the ancient Manor House of Cochwillan above the Ogwen. The stream is fordable at so many places that it was hopeless to look for any remains of a Roman bridge across it, nor have any been heard of; but on the western side of the river tradition and local memory pointed out the existence of an old line of narrow road, going exactly in a straight line between SEGONTIUM and Aber, and passing by Cochwillan. Further on towards Caernarvon, upon the same line, stands the house of Ty Coch, at which, some years ago, was dug up a Roman inscribed stone, said by those who saw it to have been a Roman mile stone. This relic (which served to fix one point, and therefore to limit the general bearing of the line) was in the possession of Mr. Davies, of Bangor, for a considerable period, but it is not now to be |