ANTIQUARIAN INVESTIGATIONS ON DARTMOOR. 23 



monuments of this class in our island, some antiquaries have fixed 

 the number of stones as varying from twelve to twenty-seven ; 

 and state that they are more frequently found of the former num- 

 ber than of any other; this conjecture, however, seems to be much 

 at variance with conclusions founded on actual observation. We 

 have found them consisting often, eleven, twelve, fifteen, twenty- 

 five, and twenty-seven stones. The size of the stones varying 

 from eighteen inches in height to five feet. The circumference of 

 the circle varies from twelve yards to one hundred and twenty, 

 which is the size of the Grey Wethers, the largest yet discovered 

 on the moor. 



The sacred circle sometimes has a cairn or kistvaen within the 

 inclosure — sometimes is found in connexion with avenues — some- 

 times in connexion with others — and in one instance it contains 

 two concentric circles within its circumference. This description 

 of circle is at once distinguished from the hut circle, or ruined 

 dwelling, by the position of the stones composing it, which are 

 always set up at intervals of greater or less extent ; whereas the 

 hut circles have the stones set as closely together as the nature of 

 the construction would permit. 



The most striking of the sacred circles are those near Sittaford 

 tor in the centre of the moor, and that on Gidleigh common. The 

 former are known to the moormen by the name of the Grey We- 

 thers; and are two circles, whose circumferences almost touch 

 each other. These masses have been selected with care, being 

 slabs, tolerably level in the upper edge ; the largest is fallen — it 

 is four feet nine inches wide, less than a foot thick, and must 

 have stood about five feet high. Diameter of both circles, one 

 hundred and twenty feet. 



The Gidleigh circle, consisting of stones which are for the most 

 part pointed, presents a very different aspect from the Grey We- 

 thers. They are thirty-seven in number, ten of which are fallen. 

 The highest of those in their original position, is eight feet above 

 the ground ; the medium height of the largest number is about 

 four feet and a half, tlie smallest stone is three feet. Diameter of 

 the circle, ninety feet. 



The avenues, or parallel lines of erect stones, appear to have 

 excited little attention, yet the peculiarity of their appearance 

 cannot fail immediately to strike a spectator. They are some- 

 times found singly, and sometimes in pairs, but always in con- 

 nexion with other British relics, and most commonly with the 

 sacred circle. 



