XLIV. An Account of a Golden Rod, found by a Peasant in the Neighbourhood of Ballycastle, in the County of Antrim.In a Letter from John Alexander M'Naghton, Esq. and communicated by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B., P. R. S., and F.A.S.

Extract

I take the liberty of sending you the enclosed drawing. It represents something (I know not what to call it) lately found by a poor peasant in the neighbourhood of Ballycastle, in the county of Antrim. It is made of the purest gold, and weighs twenty-two ounces. It is made of three distinct pieces, twisted in the manner represented in the drawing. It is in the hands of a gentleman at Ballycastle, who wishes to dispose of it for the person who found it. It struck me as being a very singular curiosity; I therefore requested it might not be disposed of, until I should have the honour of writing to you about it, as I thought it very likely it might be thought worthy of a place in the British Museum. The hook at one end was broken off by the person who found it, but it is preserved. I desired that the length of the hooks should be given, with the other dimensions; this has been neglected, but I think they are two inches long. They are solid, and certainly were not soldered to the twisted part. I flatter myself you will excuse the liberty I have taken in addressing you in this respect.