7 oz. and is 18¼ inches long, while the blade of the axe measures 37⁄8 inches in width. When it was taken from the pit, the heavy rounded end of the ash handle still remained projecting at the top of the eye. The weights of the others are as follows: Fig. 4, 5 lbs. 14 oz.; Fig. 3, 5 lbs. 1 oz.; Fig. 2, 4 lbs. 12 oz. On the upper surface of Fig. 3 there is stamped ATTICUS, probably the name of a tool maker. A sixth dolabra was found in Pit XVIII. It had its end turned and blunted by striking against some hard surface. Other forms of picks are illustrated in Plate LVIII., Figs. 4, 5 and 12.
FIG 39. SHEATHS FOR DOLABRAE
FROM VINDONISSAThe edges of these tools when carried on the march were protected by movable metal sheaths, examples of which have been found in the bed of the Rhine and elsewhere. Two interesting specimens lately recovered from the Schutthügel at Vindonissa, illustrated from photographs for which we are indebted to Dr. L. Fröhlich, of Königsfelden, are shown in Figure 39. These, when in use, were clasped tightly on the axe blade, while such rings as we see in No. 1 had attached to them some ornamental decoration. Blue melon-shaped beads and small leaf-shaped attachments of metal are to be seen hanging from such rings on sheaths at Bonn, while the metal leaves alone are the ornament of a sheath of this type at Mainz.
Figs. 7 and 8 of Plate LVIII. represent two very curious articles which were found in Pit LXI, and which seem to have been used as picks. They appear to have been made, as modern picks are, by welding together two parallel strips of metal. They measure about 23 inches in length each, and are slightly curved. At either end they are flattened to an edge of about 1½ inches deep, which appears to have had steel let into it. One of them has been twisted in the fire. The workmanship is poor, the hammer strokes of the smith being visible near the points in both cases. But the chief peculiarity they present is that, although they show evident signs of wear, neither of them has an eye for the insertion of a shaft. When in
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