V.
VARIOUS SHIELDS FOR COMPARISON.
The first is a shield of crocodile’s skin from Nubia, when made of this material they were very highly prized by the natives, and consequently not often met with in collections. This specimen is in the Antiquarian Museum. They were oftener made from hippopotamus skin. The next is oriental and of buffalo hide, and below it is a Dutch or German shield of iron on a strong framework of wood, the iron covering having a series of triangular studs struck up on its surface, while a number of circular pointed ones are rivetted on it, surrounding the large central boss. The other is a steel or iron shield of a class sometimes shewn in Scotland as Highland, but in reality the same as were used in other European countries.
Circular Shields.
VI.
ROMAN LEGIONARY SCULPTURED STONE.
This splendid slab was found in 1868 on a rocky promontory within ten yards of the sea, close by the harbour of Bridgeness, Linlithgowshire, it was face down, and covered by about two feet of soil. It is divided into three panels, the centre one being an inscription dedicatory to their emperor by the second legion on the completion of a portion of the wall of Antoninus, about A.D. 150. The panel to the right of the inscription has sculptured on it a Roman soldier, having a rounded shield with boss, galloping over some of the natives, who have oblong square shields with circular bosses. On the other is a group by an altar. This interesting relic was presented to the Antiquarian Museum by Harry Cadell, of Grange, Esquire.
