blackened by a thin laver of sediment.

Mixed

with the soil cast from the ditch in this section were fragments of charcoal, potshards of common red and black Upchurch, and a few pieces of bright red Samian ware, several of the latter bearing traces of secondary burning, which had injured their appearance.

The outer rampart having thus been traced to the extreme south side of the field, the evidence recorded of its further extension in the same direction, obtained during its removal in the sandpit, becomes interesting. In one of my previous papers (at p. 8 of the Transactions for 1897) it is stated, with reference to the via: "Margines or "footpaths, 3 yards wide, paved with gravel upon "sandstone blocks, extend on both sides." An entry in my note book of 10th July, 1896, records that at about 40 feet north from the Ship Canal, or 32 feet from the spot referred to (Section I), the via was 51 feet in width, clearly marked with stones and gravel, and that the traces were found extending 12 feet further on the west side, deep in the soil. Owing to their rude and indefinite character, these traces were at the time misunderstood, but there can be no doubt that they were the footings of the rampart and débris from its superstructure in both instances.

As the south-west gateway was here situated, and an altar was found 30 feet west from the same spot, the record is worth quoting of still earlier discoveries made during the construction of the Irwell and Mersey Junction (Old Quay) Canal, in 1801-3, close at hand, in the position now occupied by the Ship Canal. The workmen then employed are stated by W. Thompson Watkin (Roman Cheshire, p. 261) to have unearthed numerous Roman foundations of buildings, together with bases, shafts, and capitals of

NO. 3. FOOTINGS OF RAMPART NEAR N W. CORNER OF CAMP.

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columns, especially in the Stony Loont' field, near the windmill, 7 feet below the surface, some of the ashlars 3 feet by 2, with luis "holes. Pottery of all kinds, including "Samian, and numerous coins. A road was cut "through, more than 6 yards wide, running north "and south, rather to the east of the windmill.'

The windmill here spoken of, which no longer serves as a landmark, occupied the summit of an ancient barrow that once stood about 70 yards. in a direct line westward, where is now the north bank of the Ship Canal. A fragment of the burial urn obtained from this barrow when it was removed, some 40 years ago, is in the Warrington Museum. The road cut through "rather to the east of the windmill" was the Roman via, which passes round two sides of the encampment.

In continuing the work of exploration, Section II was cut 80 feet north from No. 1, and carried westward from the via for a distance of about 50 feet, in search of a possible series of outer ditches or defences, but without result. Close to the edge of the via, the footings of the rampart were again exposed at a depth of only 1 foot below the sod, and consisted of a layer or platform of stones, 9 feet wide, with straight margins of hammer-dressed sandstone blocks, the interval being filled in with rubble, and consolidated with alluvial clav. Underneath, for about a foot, the sand was blackened by black oxide of iron dissolved out of the foundations of red sandstone

laid directly upon it. This blackened layer had the appearance of a gremium, or bedding, and was invariably met with below the foundations of walls, and also beneath the statumen or lowest course of the via in all parts. The ditch in this section, and in no other, left the straight

course and came close up to the rampart. Its width was 6 feet 8 inches, and depth below the present surface 5 feet 10 inches, with sides nearly perpendicular. Bordering the outside of the ditch were the bottom courses of a wall of rubble. cemented with clay, 2 feet wide and deep; and beyond this the thickness of soil increased to 31 feet as far as the cutting extended.

Section III, cut 84 feet north from the former, was carried far enough to uncover rampart and berme, and to ascertain the existence of a ditch at 18 feet from the via. The footings of the rampart were similar in structure and dimensions to those in section II. The berme, or platform, between rampart and ditch was, consequently, 9 feet in width, and there was a cobblestone pavement partly covering it at 18 inches below the sod.

Section IV, 25 feet from the preceding, was made long enough to ascertain the presence, without variation, of the stone platform, 9 feet wide and 22 inches down, close to the edge of the via.

Section V, at an interval of only 12 feet, was deemed to have proved the continued existence of the rampart when carried about half its width.

Section VI, at an equally short interval, was carried 37 feet from the via, to uncover the rampart, berme, and a flagged pavement crossing the ditch, and a clay floor beyond. By reference to the Plan No. I, it will be observed that the ditch, or what is possibly a small addition to the bottom of the original ditch, at 4 feet from the present surface, is only 18 inches wide and 13 inches deep. It was inferred from the blackness of the soil beneath the stone flags, and the layer of charcoal half-an-inch thick in one portion