One iron rod or sceptre, 3 ft. 5 in. long, was also found in a position not suggestive of antiquity. This was recognised by the natives as the rod of a chief, being a native symbol of power. Some of the dynastic chiefs of the Makalanga still possess these iron rods. The end of the rod is bent back to form the handle. Mr. Bent says the iron sceptres borne by Makalanga chiefs have their parallels in the north of the African continent! Ruling “with a rod of iron” is a scriptural description of despotic government. Pieces of worked iron, with rings let through the top ends and broadening at the base, where there is a different shaped hole of a distinct form on each base, appear to have been _keys_ (Pl. II., figs. 7 and 8). These were found with the Arab belongings in Renders Ruins. [Illustration: _PLATE 3._ —Relics & “Finds”— Great Zimbabwe 1802–3. Methuen & C^o] There are still to be seen the remains of native _iron-smelting furnaces_, one being in almost perfect condition, but all are exceedingly old, and were found standing seventy years ago, when the present Makalanga came to live at Zimbabwe. The “female breast and furrow” pattern is on every native furnace. Portions of _blow-pipes_ and great quantities of _iron slag_ are found on the higher floors of clay in several of the ruins. 5. BRASS ARTICLES So far as investigations lead, no relics of brass have been found on the lower floors of any of the ruins at Zimbabwe. But on the upper clay floors brass in several forms is found in abundance. It will be remembered that in 1514 Duarte Barbosa wrote, “The people of Monomotapa come to Sofala charged with gold, and give such quantities that the merchants gain one hundred for one.” This was written soon after the first arrival of the Portuguese at Sofala, and given in a description of Arab trade on the coast, which they found to be flourishing. But before that period the Arab barter article for the gold was mainly brass, though “coloured stuffs and beads of Cambay” were also used for the purpose of barter, for the Arab trade with this country dated back long before the arrival of the Portuguese. The Arab writer, Omar ibn l’Wardi, stated (_circa_ 1200 A.D.), in alluding to South-East Africa, “The most remarkable produce of this country is its quantity of native gold ... in spite of which the natives adorn their persons with ornaments of brass.” So to-day a native will gladly pay an enormous amount over the cost price for any attractive-looking but shoddy brass article. The brass ornaments of women weigh from 1½ lbs. to 3 lbs., while the men spend hours in polishing and rearranging their brass bangles. Therefore it is not surprising that brass wire, brass wire bangles, and solid brass bangles, should be found on the clay floors of the ruins. The quantity imported as barter goods for gold must have been simply enormous, especially in view of the prevailing custom of