200 Devon Notes and Queries, increasing the value of such contribution, and rendering- assistance to those who may be working at the same subject. In the article that appeared under the above title there is no clue given as to the sources of information from whence some of the more important statements were obtained, and as they are of much interest to antiquaries, I venture to draw attention to them in the hope of the writer of it adding to its value by a statement of his authorities on the points described by him. Doubtless Mr. Hems is able to give his references to the authorities for the various statements contained in his article on this subject, especially as they do not altogether accord with the views entertained by some of our leading local antiquaries, as noted in their printed works. To three of these statements, which are recorded as facts, I should like to draw attention : — 1. " The ancient vane, proved as its date is by the Cathe- dral's Fabric Roll, is not only the oldest metal representation of a crowing cock utilised as a vane existing in Great Britain^ but probably in the whole world." If the Roll proves this, it should be confirmed by a proper extract from it, especially as it does not appear to be recorded in any printed work that has been examined. Dr. Oliver (History of Exeter Cathedral^ i86i^ 183-9, 379-407) printed a series of extracts from these Rolls, extending from 1279 to 1439, but according to Mr. Hems the vane was made and fixed on the Cathedral 43 years later, viz., in 1482. An important archaeological assertion of this kind should be corroborated by a proper reference. 2. The vane *< was made by a sturdy Exeter son of Vulcan [blacksmith] no less than 420 long years ago.*' (At the close of his article it is noted as 417 years.) How is this period arrived at, and does the entry from which it is supposed to be taken report the name and calling of its manufacturer ? Its iron spindle may have been made by a blacksmith, but the « copper counterfeit rooster " must have been the work of a skilled coppersmith. 3. *' When Bishop Courtenay in 1482 exchanged some of our own smaller Cathedral bells for the big one at Llandaff, and the latter upon arrival was found too large to swing securely in the Norman North tower, it was affixed at the top of that particular structure and a low spire built above to protect it in that position from the elements.*' From whence
