Transactions. 35 



after times as the temple and place of sacrifice of the more en- 

 lightened Gauls, who doubtless invaded and dispossessed them, 

 hunting them down and exterminating, as has been the custom from 

 all time till now ? Here surely is material enough for pleasant and 

 instructive speculation, to be followed up by investigation of other 

 and ruder circles, such as the Twelve Apostles of Holywood, the 

 circle on the roadside near Lochrutton, or the very rude one at 

 the Ilohu, near Carsphairn, where giant boulders have been 

 roughly set round a low mound. Circles alone do not exhaust this 

 class of relics. Single standing stones are numerous, and pro- 

 bably later, representing the site of battles or skirmishes. Food 

 enoug'h for speculation, but antiquity has its surprises, its dis- 

 coveries. A few strokes of the spade, an uncovering of the 

 primeval face of the rock, and lo I traces of a time even earlier 

 than any yet mentioned are seen in the cup-and-ring markings, 

 found a few years ago on the farm of Banks, near Kirkcud- 

 bright. Existing all over Asia, in use in India and Persia to 

 the present day, found in a few places in Europe, in part of 

 America, and in Australia, if they prove anything, it must be the 

 existence of a common religion m these places — a rehgion which 

 was allied to a civilisation far in advance of anything known or 

 traced among the other inhabitants of these countries, at all events 

 until the Roman conquest. By what vast cataclysm, by what 

 deluge or change of climate, was this ancient race wiped out, and 

 the traces of their worship, extending over whole acres, covered 

 up by the soil for thousands of years ? What was the attraction 

 about Galloway that it should be their shrine, their holy ground ? 

 Nearing better known times, we may trace out the many old forts 

 and camps which dot this country in all directions. Here, on a 

 hill top, is a vitrified fort, or circular British camp. There, on the 

 slope below, one of those marvellous earth-works, whose straight 

 and regular lines, orderly disposition, and arrangement prove at a 

 glance that none but the all-conquering Roman, that inflexible 

 despiser of curves and irregular angles, could have produced them. 

 Surely a visit, on a fine day, to the summit of Burnswark, with its 

 unrivalled A'iews and camps, must effect an immediate conversion 

 to antiquarian pursuits and a firm belief in its pleasures. Then 

 there are the moats, camps of refuge, or places of meeting — no 

 one seems clear as to their precise nature, nor whether their origin 



