Portions of Jet Armlets (1⁄2).
8. Lignite, Jet, etc.—(1.) A small bit of a black substance like a jet button. (2.) Two portions of armlets made of lignite or jet, each about 2 inches long, were found near the wooden platform at the north-east corner. One is a little thicker and coarser than the other, and forms part of a circle, which, if completed, would measure exactly 3 inches across (internal diameter). The other is polished and of a jet black colour, internal diameter 23⁄4 inches. A third fragment of a similar ornament was found in the débris when closing up the crannog. It is more slender and has a smaller diameter than either of the others. The portion of ring made of shale found at the bottom of the deep shaft below the log pavement is smaller than either of these, its internal diameter being only 2 inches, and its external 31⁄4 (Figs. 156 and 157).
9. Tusks.—The large number of boars' tusks met with, quite unconnected with the bones of the animal, especially in the relic-bed around the fireplaces, suggests the idea that they may have been used as implements. One only, however, was found to have decided marks of having been formed into a tool. It is 31⁄2 inches long, and very sharply pointed (Fig. 158).
Fig. 158.—Implement of Boar's Tusk (1⁄2)
10. Pigments.—Several soft lumps of what appeared to be a blue and a red pigment were found, but they were not subjected to analysis. A specimen of the latter, which has been kept in a bottle, is now turning blue like the former.
11. Insect Cases.—Large quantities of the horny coverings of insects like beetles were found in patches here and there, together with one or two brilliant-coloured elytra.
12. Shell.—One solitary shell was found near the fireplace, which I believe to be Littorina littorea.
The Fauna of the Crannog.