Mr. Gomme exhibited two cleft ash sticks used for the cure of rupture, and a sketch of one of them before it was cut down, presented by Mr. E. T. Lingwood to the President for the Society from an ash plantation between Needham Market and Barking in Suffolk; and also a photograph of the split ash in the museum at Taunton, which Mr. Hartland had procured to be taken for the Society.[1]
Mr. Gomme also, on behalf of Mrs. Gomme, exhibited, (1) A scalp lock ornament of silver used by the Indians for fastening the scalp at the back of the head, sent by Miss M. A. Owen; and (2) A sacramental cake from the parish of Minnigaff, Kirkcudbrightshire, sent by the Rev. Dr. Gregor, on which Dr. Gregor in sending it had observed:—
These cakes were formerly used over all Galloway. They are now used only in Minnigaff, and one or two more parishes. Bread in slices is now used. A piece is first broken off by the clergyman who hands it to the one partaking of the Communion first, who hands it to the next, and so on till the piece is finished. An elder then breaks off another piece which is passed round in the same way. Formerly it was not cut into four pieces, but was kept whole. The present clergyman, Mr. Reid, has it cut as being more convenient. I may state that the cake was one of those prepared for the Communion in Minnigaff Church last month (October, 1895).
Mr. Nutt, on behalf of Miss Eyre, exhibited a Burmese necklace composed of small figures of Buddha.
Miss Samuel and Miss Magnus exhibited a number of articles from Fiji, including a stone axe used by Fijians before the discovery of the island by white men, a kava-bowl, a model of a native hut, a native comb, and a wooden sleeping-stool.
The Secretary, on behalf of Miss Fulcher, exhibited some stones and a bone used as charms in Norfolk, and read the following description of each:—
1. Stone used as charm against nightmare; must be hung at the foot of the bed. Stone supposed always to resemble shape of a lock.
- ↑ A full account of these will be given hereafter.
