The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of Asgrim Elsdagrimson--described in "Burnt Njal," one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the 10th century. The runes here found were perhaps engraved about the year 1152. No doubt "the land" here spoken of is Iceland, and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain.--Professor MUNCH. MAETH THAERI OeHSE ER ATI GOeUKR TRAEN ILS SONR FYRIR SUNAN LAND. _With this Axe, owned by Gauk, the son of Trandil, in the South of the country._--Professor RAFN. No. XVII. HAEMUNTR, HARTHEKSI, RAEIST RUN. _Haermunt Hardaxe carved these Runes._--Professor STEPHENS. HAERMUNTR HARTHEKSI RAEIST RUN. _Hermund Hardaxe engraved these Runes._--Professor MUNCH. HAERMUNDR HARTHIGSI RAEIST RUN. _Hermund Hardaxe carved the Runes._ Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes.--Professor RAFN. (_Note._--Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost or miscarried. The letters, [rune] [rune] at the end of the word run are obviously wanting.--J. F.) No. XVIII. RIST SA MATHR ER RUNSTR ER FYRIR VAESTAN HAF. _The man did cut most versed in Runes in the western countries._ Professor Rafn gives nearly the same description of Gauk as Professor Munch. He reads Nos. xvi. and xviii. together. The words Fyrir vaestan haf, to the west of the sea, refer to the western countries, more especially the British Isles. The Palm-runes are rarely capable of being deciphered. (_Note._--This No. is taken in conjunction with No. xvi. by Professor Rafn.--J. F.) RIST, SA, MATHR, ER, RUNSTR, ER, FYRIR, VAESTAN HAF. _(These runes) risted that man, in Runes most skilful o'er the Western Seas._ The Palm Runes on the first line indicate Thisar Runar--these Runes.--Professor STEPHENS. RIST SA MATHR ER RUNSTR ER FYRIR UAESTAN HAF. _That man engraved who is the best runed West of the Ocean._ No doubt the writer belonged to Orkney, or to some of the other Norwegian possessions. The Bough-runes are not easy to decipher.--Professor MUNCH. No. XIX. SIA, HOUGHR, UAR, FYRLATHIN HAELR, THAEIR, UORO, HUATER, SLITU, ORO, UT, NORTHR, ER, OLGHIT, MIKIT, THAT, UAR. SIMON, SIGHRIK. SIGRITH. INRONINSE AEI. _This How was closed up--was quite abandoned. Out North is Fee (treasure) buried much. That was in Roninsey (North Ronaldshay Island)._ The writing is in different hands apparently, and it is probable that the How was abandoned when the inscriptions were engraved. The three names are most likely the names of the writers: they point to treasure buried in North Ronaldshay.--Professor STEPHENS.