The Teutonic element in the garrison is represented by the altars to Mars Thingsus, the discovery of which caused great interest in Germany, and by the altars to the Deae Matres—­the mother-goddesses, whose carved figures are shown seated, fully draped, and holding baskets of fruits on their knees.  They are generally found in sets of three; but unfortunately they have been much mutilated, and all the examples remaining are headless.  The Deae Matres would seem to correspond in some degree to the Roman Ceres and the Greek Demeter, the bountiful givers of the fruits of the earth.  The majority of the altars found are, as was to be expected, dedicated to the deities of Rome; chiefly, as shown by the constantly recurring I.O.M.—­Jovi optimo maximo—­to “Jupiter, the best and greatest.”  The varying inscriptions which follow as reasons for their erection as votive offerings give us glimpses of the life in these communities clearer than those afforded by anything else.  And as most, if not all, of our knowledge concerning the details of the Roman occupation of the north-country has to be obtained from the inscriptions which the garrisons left behind them, the inscribed stones as well as the altars are of the greatest possible interest and value.  One such stone, found at the Borcovicus mile-castle, states that “the Second Legion, the August (erected this at the command of) Aulus Platorius Nepos, Legate and Propraetor, in honour of the Emperor Caesar Trajanus Hadrianus Augustus.”

At “Cuddy’s” (Cuthbert’s) Crag near Borcovicus is one of the most picturesque bits of scenery to be found on the whole course of the Wall.  My first acquaintance with it was made on a day of grey mist and drizzling rain, which completely hid any view of the surrounding country, and of necessity confined our attention to the stones (and wet grass!) immediately beneath our feet.  But another visit was on a day of wind and sunshine, and in the company of a group of light-hearted students.  We explored the ruins of Borcovicus, walked along the broad and broken top of the Wall, and climbed up hill and down dale with it under the pleasantest conditions, if a trifle breezy on the heights.  June was at her traditional best, which she does not often vouchsafe to show us; flowers waved all around, amongst the grass and in the crannies between the stones, and more than once the lines at the head of this chapter were quoted by one to another.  Again and again our progress was stayed while we admired the glorious view spread out all around, but especially was this the case at Cuddy’s Crag.  We looked westward over Crag Lough, its usually dark waters flashing in the afternoon sun; the three Loughs were all within view; away to the southward, beyond Barcombe Hill, and the site of Vindolana, Langley Castle could be seen, “standing four-square to all the winds that blew”; and further away again, beyond the valley of the South Tyne, to the southwest the faint outlines of Crossfell and Skiddaw.  Northward it