might pass as a fair
representation of some member of the finny tribe, whose proper name need
not be too curiously asked for; but unluckily the designer of the
brooch, indulging in the grotesque, has represented some monstrous bird
with bat's ears emerging from one side of the fish.

[Illustration: Fig. 215.]

[Illustration: Fig. 216.]

We give two specimens, one from the banks of the Rhine, the other found
opposite our own shores. Fig. 215 represents a bird, probably of the
hawk kind, whose eye has been made the socket for a garnet, and the
extremity of his tail a receptacle for another piece of jewellery. It
was found on the site of the Roman station at Cologne. Fig. 216, which
is of plain bronze, is more fortunate as an attempt to represent a cock;
it was discovered, with many other curious antiquities, at Etaples, near
Boulogne, and is preserved in the museum of the latter town.

[Illustration: Fig. 217.]

A very distinct character pervades the ornamental works of the ancient
nations that once inhabited the British Isles.

A curious discovery of the fibula, Fig. 217, was made at Stamford,
Lincolnshire. It was found in the process of enlarging a stone-pit in
the parish of Castle Bytham. It is described by Mr. Akerman, in his
"Pagan Saxondom," as "a ring fibula, of white metal, gilt, in very
excellent preservation, and set with four gems closely resembling
carbuncles. An irregular interlacing pattern is worked over the whole
front surface, but it is perfectly plain behind." Mr. Akerman is
inclined to think that it has a Scandinavian character, and favours the
supposition that its owner was a Danish lady.

[Illustration: Fig. 218.]

This supposition seems borne out by the researches of Dr. Davies, in his
interesting ethnographical sketch of the various ancient populations who
have invaded and inhabited Anglia in pre-historic times, prefixed to
that very valuable work, the "Crania Britannica." He is of opinion that
about the time of Caesar, the population of our island throughout the
northern and midland counties was derived from the tribes of Jutland and
North Germany, and that the southern portions of the island were
exclusively filled by the Saxon immigrants.

A fibula of very peculiar form is found in these northern counties in
great abundance. We give an example in Fig. 218. It is of bronze, and
was found at Driffield, Yorkshire, in the grave of a female. Sometimes
these fibulae are richly ornamented wit