The runic inscription, here also upon a snake, surrounds the figures, but has nothing to say about Sigurd Fafnisbani. [Illustration: Fig. 322.—Oscan inscription (first three lines) on a bronze tablet in British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 323.—Greek inscription on bronze axe from Calabria, in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 324.—Archaic Greek inscription in the British Museum. ] From the facsimile illustrations given of Etruscan, Greek and earliest Roman inscriptions chosen at random from the museums, the reader will be able to judge for himself, and probably see how much more closely the earlier runes resemble the Greek archaic and Etruscan inscriptions than the Latin ones. [Illustration: Fig. 325.—Bronze tablet, first three lines. Treaty between the Eleans and Heræans of Arcadia; copied from “Ancient Greek Inscriptions” in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: (Euphorbos.) ] [Illustration: (Menelaos.) ] [Illustration: (Hector.) Fig. 326.—These three archaic inscriptions are found on a vase from Camirus in Rhodes, now in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 327.—Etruscan inscription on a sepulchral urn in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 328.—Etruscan inscription on an urn in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 329.—Etruscan inscription on a sarcophagus from Toscanella, in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 330.—Plaque of terra-cotta, representing Poseidon, painted. Found near Corinth. Now in the Louvre. ] [Illustration: Fig. 331.—Latin inscription. ] [Illustration: Fig. 332.—Early Latin inscription: painted on a vase in British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 333.—Etruscan inscription, on a sarcophagus from Toscanella, in the British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 334.—On an Etruscan sepulchral monument in terra-cotta, British Museum. ] [Illustration: Fig. 335.—Bronze spear-point, with earlier runes, and svastica and triskele stamped on it. Length 16½ inches.—Venice, island of Torcello. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 336.—Iron spear-point, with runes and figures inlaid with silver, discovered in a mound with burnt bones and weapons.—Müncheberg, Mark-Brandenburg. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 337.—Iron spear-point, with runes and figures inlaid with silver.—Volhynia, Russia. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 338.—Runic stone found at Collingham, Yorkshire. ] CHAPTER XII. NORTHERN RELICS—BOG FINDS. Numerous Greek and Roman objects—Intentional destruction of weapons—Thorsberg find—Coats of mail—Garments and harness—Weapons and ornaments—The Vimose find—The sax—Bronze and iron spurs—Carpenter’s plane—The Kragehul find—The Nydam find—Discovery of a large oak boat—Its construction—Various weapons, tools, and ornaments—Damascened swords.