gold ornament, crystals, and jewels; the setting of the crystals is evidently later work. The back consists of a fine and perfect silver plate, in open fret pattern. The sides are of gilt bronze, with open-work ornament of a highly complicated interlaced pattern. There are two arms at the sides, pierced, with rings inserted; the arms have a circular plate setting, and the spaces between them and the rims are filled with heavily-plated gold ornament. The handle portion of the shrine is highly ornamented with bird forms and interlaced design, in different treatment from the faces and sides. The shrine bears an inscription, in the Irish character and language, of which the following is a translation:--‘A prayer for Domnall O’Loughlin, by whom this Bell (or Bell-shrine) was made; and for Domnall, the successor of Patrick, with whom it was made; and for Cathalan O’Maelchalland, the keeper of the Bell; and for Cudulig O’Inmainen, with his sons, who covered it.’ There are many other ancient iron bells in Ireland, examples of which will be seen in the National Museum. Of bell shrines, several others exist: that of St. Senan’s is in possession of Mr. Marcus Keene, whose family have been the hereditary custodians of the Saint’s bell. The shrine of St. Mura’s bell from Fahan, Co. Donegal, after various wanderings and changing of hands, is now in the Wallace collection, London. [Illustration: Bell of Chumascach Mac Ailello.] About the tenth century, iron gave place to bronze as the more satisfactory material in metal for bells. The date of one example at least is ascertained by an inscription on its outer surface. This is the Bell of Chumascach, and is also from Armagh. It is 12 inches high and 8 inches across the mouth, and is of cast bronze, but the handle and clapper are of iron. It bears the following inscription in Irish:-- [Illustration] (Pray for Chumascach, son of Ailello). The death of the person mentioned in the inscription is recorded in the _Annals of the Four Masters_ as occurring in A.D. 909. * * * * * _Cumdachs._--The copies of the Gospels and other sacred writings which had been used by the early saints of Ireland were generally preserved by their successors, enclosed in cases formed of yew or some wood equally durable. Many of those cases were subsequently enshrined or enclosed in boxes of silver, or of bronze, called _Cumdachs_, richly plated with silver and occasionally gilt; and in several instances a third case appears to have been added. Sir William Betham, in his _Irish Antiquarian Researches_, describes several of those evidences of early Irish piety still extant and remaining in a state of preservation. There are two in Trinity College Library, the shrines of the Book of Dimma, and the Book of Mulling.