_Method of Excavating._--The excavations were commenced by making an explorative trench through what appeared to be the centre of the crannog, following as a guide the long diameter of the lake basin. This trench was from 2 to 3 feet deep, and about 5 feet wide, and its general direction lay in a line running from N.W. to S.E. The débris was wheeled sufficiently far not to cover the probable area of the island, and carefully examined, but nothing of importance was found, except a small spindle whorl (Fig. 196), and a fragment of a quern-stone, till the trench reached the southern margin of the crannog. Here, after the tops of a few upright piles were exposed, a large beam was encountered, lying right across the trench, beyond which the stuff turned up from the bottom consisted almost entirely of broken bones and ashes. This was at once recognised as the wished-for midden, and its discovery at this early stage was fortunate, inasmuch as its examination would soon decide, with a trifling outlay, the quality of the crannog as a relic depôt. To this, therefore, attention was exclusively devoted, till the severity of the weather compelled us to abandon working altogether. The depth of clay and soil above the midden was about 2-1/2 feet, and after removing this, its remaining contents were wheeled to a separate place, so as to facilitate a more careful inspection after exposure to winter weather. The large number of rare and valuable relics discovered during the ten days the men were thus employed induced the Earl of Eglinton to sanction a further outlay in the prosecution of these researches; and it was then agreed that nothing less than the removal of the débris over the whole area of the crannog would satisfy archæological demands. The tenant also very kindly consented to leave this portion of his field untilled, so that there was no necessity to resume work till the weather became really suitable for such an undertaking. Early in April very dry weather, though cold, set in, and on the farmer representing that more favourable circumstances for digging could not be expected, the investigation of the crannog was resumed.