Transactions. 31 



have been uppermost. As regards the diineusiuus of the 

 hollows and depressions referred to, they vary considerably, 

 although uot so much so as to interfere with their character 

 as a whole, or to destroy their general resemblance. I should 

 sa}' that their average diameter is an inch and a-half, and 

 their depth one inch, but the departures from this rule are 

 very marked and various. It is obvious that the rock surface 

 has not been prepared in any way for these markings, but is 

 in its natural state, broken and irregular and ragged. No 

 trace of the operation of any tool or instrument is dis- 

 coverable, either within the hollows, or upon the face of 

 the stone. It is difficult to convey anything like an accurate 

 idea, in words, of these singular markings. I must refer you 

 therefore to the diagrams before you. 



I have said that I wish to express no opinion as to their 

 origin and signification. This need not, however, prevent 

 me from anticipating one or two possible and seemingly 

 plausible explanations which may suggest themselves, and 

 I do so at i^resent, more especially for the sake of clear- 

 ing the ground for connecting the subject with that of 

 rock markings in general, and of showing the remarkable 

 similarity which exists between what we have been 

 describing and certain forms of marking which are now 

 regarded by antiquarians as undoubtedly artificial and 

 symbolical. 



And first, that the markings on the HolyAvood stones 

 ai-e due to natural causes, to the slow oi^eration of atmo- 

 spheric agencies. To this explanation I have no objection, 

 only it must first account for their gi'eater prevalence in 

 situations where the protection from atmosiiheric influences 

 is greatest, which, as I have already pointed out, is a marked 

 feature in the case, — the base of the larger slab being 

 positively honeycombed with these hollows and depressions, 

 and conversely it must account for their non-existence, 

 comparatively speaking, where the exposure is greatest, 

 only one of the slabs presenting them on its exposed surface, 

 and where it may be remarked moreover that atmospheric 



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