MODERN INDIAN DOLMENS. 



133 



just as in Wales, Penmaenmawr signifies the Hill of the Big 

 Stone ; while a Menhir is a standing stone, and a Dolmen a 

 table stone, etc. Those who believe that the use of metal 

 was introduced into Europe by a race of Indo-European 

 origin, will find in these facts an interesting confirmation of 

 their opinion. 



How closely these Indian dolmens resemble those of Europe 

 may be seen by comparing figs. 139 and 140 with 135 and 137. 



The Indian dolmens, as shown in the valuable memoirs by 

 Captain Meadows Taylor* (figs. 139, 140), may truly be said 



FIG. 140. 



Indian Dolmen. 



to be identical with those of Western Europe. He examined 

 a very considerable number, having obtained particulars of 

 no less than 2129 dolmens in the district of Bellary, in the 

 Dekhan, and it is interesting that, as is sometimes the case 

 in Europe, more than 1100 had an opening in one of the side 

 stones, perhaps in order to introduce food, perhaps as an exit 

 for the spirit of the dead. Montperieux figures (pi. xxx.) a 

 dolmen with a similar hole, in his work on the Caucasus. 



Very similar dolmens appear to exist in the United States. 

 They are described as " constructed of four flat stones two 



* Trans. K Irish Academy, vol. Leslie's valuable work, " The Early 

 xxiv. p. 329. See also Col. Forbes Races of Scotland." 



