Notice of Runic Inscriptions Discovered during Recent Excavations in the Orkneys Part 6

_Arnfinn the son of Steins engraved these Runes._

The other letters are defective and give no distinct meaning.--Professor MUNCH.

ARNFITHR RAEIST RUNAR THISAR SONR STAINS.

THRUKR LIT.

_Arnfinn, a son of Steins, carved these runes. Thrud caused_ . . . .

(incomplete).--Professor RAFN.

No. XXII.

BOT aeR OKTIL AT SOKUA, SUO IN KOTALANT.[6] _Sua Inklant._

_Boot (blood money) is also to seek, so in Gothland, so in England._

It may also be a fanciful Alphabet.--Professor STEPHENS.

There are peculiar Runes, but too obscure for interpretation. Similar ones have been found near Baffins Bay. (_Vide_ Antiquitates Americanae).--Professor MUNCH.

This No. represents some signs belonging to the calendar--similar ones have been found in the Paradise cavern, and at Hof in Iceland. (_Vide_ Rafn. Antiquitates Americanae).--Professor RAFN.

No. XXIII.

IKIKAETHIR, KYNANA, IN, UAENSTA.

_Inkikaethr, of women the fairest._

Also the figure of an Otter with a fish in its mouth, meant for a decoration.--Professor STEPHENS.

IKIKAERTH IR KYNANA IN UAENSTA.

_Ingigerthr is of women the most beautiful._--Professor MUNCH.

IGIGAERTH IR KYNANA IN VAENSTA.

_Ingigerth is the fairest of the women._--Professor RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate XII._]

No. XXIV.

No interpretation of this is offered by the learned Professors.

Nos. XXV. and XXVI.

A Dragon and Worm Knot.--Professor STEPHENS.

No. XXV.

This is a Dragon drawn with art. There is a similar one on a stone at Hunstead in Scania. It may be ascribed to the heathen times, as well as the construction of the barrow itself.--Professor RAFN.

No. XXVI.

A serpentine winding like those found on Runic stones in the Scandinavian north and on other monuments from the last period of heathenism, and the commencement of the Christian era.--Professor RAFN.

[Sidenote: _Plate XIII._]

The remaining Nos. are considered by all the learned Professors as "scribbles" or scratches, and must be considered as unimportant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE VII.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE VIII.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE IX.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE X.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XI.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XII.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XIII.]

Footnotes:

[1] The country people state that the building was formerly inhabited by a person named Hogboy, possessing great strength. Haugbuie, in Norse, signifies "the ghost of the tomb;" and Haugr, "tumulus."