92 Further Researches in a I am unable to offer more than a conjecture as to the use of the large ivory rings discovered with Nos. 22 and 49. All possible care was taken in extricating them, and one of them has been preserved entire by immersion in gelatine. They appear to have formed the framework of a kind of bag, probably for holding sewing materials and implements of housewifery. Examples of these rings, supposed to be armillzB, were discovered in the Fairford graves : they are formed of elephant ivory. Tho purse-guard and knife with its sheath, found with No. 22, are novelties : it is much to be regretted that they were not recovered in a more perfect state of preservation. In No. 20 an opportunity was afforded for observing the manner in which fibula? of that form were worn ; namely, with the heads downwards. In this way they appear on the dresses of the figures represented on Consular dyptichs. A lan^> fibula found with No. 51 was placed in a similar manner on the right breast. Nos. 21 and 27 are remarkable for the absence of reliques, with the exception of an urn of black pottery at the head of each. These are ornamented with charac- teristic markings, and are of neat workmanship. The pair of small dish-shaped fibula} found with No. 49 are particularly deserving attention. They bear in the centre a figure very closely resembling the letter T on the coins of Offa. The same figure occurs on a pair of fibula; found at Fail-lord," but on those it is repeated, and forms a circle. Its occurrence in an isolated form invites examination, but I forbear to offer any conjectures as to its significance. In graves 17 and 49 we have evidence of the estimation in which amber was held by the Anglo-Saxon women. In each was found a fragment of a bead which had been again pierced for suspension without altering its shape. It will be observed that in several of these graves no relique whatever was discovered, and that in three of them urns of black pottery were found without any other object. These are facts which claim the especial attention of the student of our Anglo-Saxon remains. The present state of our knowledge forbids any attempt at an explanation of these peculiarities. is established beyond dispute, and the placing of it on record may serve as a guide to those who may be engaged in similar researches, and help to interpret the use of objects which are recovered in a fragmentary state. I am, ic. J. Y. AKKKXAN. Archeologia, Vol. XXXIV. pi. x. fig. 2. Fairford Graves, pi. iii. fig. 4. Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pi. xix. fig. 2.
