STONEHBNGE — STEVENS 451 



of them has been dressed, to form a cii'cle of 98 feet diameter. Six- 

 teen out of the original thirty uprights of these Trilithons are now 

 standing. 



{g) Within the circle of Sarsen Trilithons is another circle of hewn 

 stones. These stones have been conveyed to the spot from Prescelly 

 in Pembrokeshire. They numbered once between 40 and 50, but only 

 21 exist today. 



{h) Five great detached Trilithons, arranged in a horseshoe, with 

 the opening to the northeast. These Trilithons are graduated in 

 height, that in the center standing 22 feet above the ground. 



{i) An inner horseshoe of stones from Prescelly, standing from 6 

 to 8 feet in height. Including the stumps left in the ground, there are 

 12 of these stones. 



{j) A recumbent slab of micaceous sandstone, lying under the de- 

 bris of the fallen Trilithon, which most probably came from Milford 

 Haven. This was JBrst called the "Altar Stone" by Inigo Jones in the 

 seventeenth century. It is 16 feet long and weighs 7 tons. 



The question which is bound to arise is, How was the circle erected ? 

 Here again the process of building may be summarized briefly before 

 entering upon more detailed explanations. The large blocks of 

 Sarsen stone were roughly shaped in situ on the Plain before being 

 transported to the site where the work was finished. The Prescelly 

 stones were dressed on the spot before erection. The entire work was 

 performed with stone tools of the roughest description, weighing from 

 half a pound to over 60 pounds. 



The large Trilithons were erected first and the Pembrokeshire 

 stones placed in position afterwards. 



STONEHENGE AND OTHER STONE CIRCLES 



1. Stonehenge is probably the latest and is certainly the most elab- 

 orate stone circle in England. 



2. It is the only cii'cle in the country which contains stones which 

 have been brought at least 180 miles. 



3. The stones have been squared, dressed, and provided with lintels, 

 with mortises, tenons, and toggle joints. 



4. The horseshoe arrangement of the stones is most uncommon. 



5. Most of the stone circles in the South of England face the north- 

 east. Stonehenge is one of these. 



6. Stone circles are to be found in South Britain, in Cornwall, 

 Devonshire, Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire. They are also found 

 in the Prescelly district in Wales. 



7. Though not rich in circles, Wiltshire contains two of the most 

 remarkable in the Kingdom — Avebury and Stonehenge. 



280256 — 41 .SO 



