16 The Eleventh General Meeting. 
Mr. Cunnineton F.G.S. next read a paper on “ the Geology of 
the Stones of Stonehenge,” in which he first pointed out the 
many erroneous statements which had been made on this subject, 
some having described the stones as foreign marble resembling that 
of Carrara: others as formed of artificial matter, moulded to the ori- 
ginal forms ; and others again as a species of coarse freestone. These 
various statements having been satisfactorily refuted, he proceeded 
to explain that the owter circle and the large Trilithons at Stone- 
henge as well as the whole of the circles at Avebury, were composed 
of sarsen stones: the sarsens found so abundantly in Wiltshire, 
more especially in the Clatford valley of North Wilts, being the 
remains of sandy strata once lying above the chalk, the softer por- 
tions of which have been washed away, leaving these rocky masses 
on the surface. He then referred to the smaller circle and inner 
oval, and pronounced all these stones to be primary igneous 
rocks and of foreign origin, the altar stone is a fine-grained 
micaceous sandstone. From the facts adduced, Mr. Cunnington 
argued that Stonehenge was not originally erected either as a 
sepulchral monument, or as an astronomical calendar. This paper 
will however be found in ewtenso in the Magazine, and need not 
therefore be anticipated here. 
The Rev. H. T. Arnmrretp then read a paper on ‘“ The Druids,” 
written by Dr. Bushnan of Laverstock: wherein that gentleman, 
though he recognized in the feelings and habits of the Druids 
some traces of solemn truth, at the same time adopted the view 
that they sometimes offered human sacrifices: and that this was no 
uncommon practice in early times, he referred to the example of 
the Phenicians, Gauls, and others. Dr. Bushnan also contended 
that the statements of ancient authors regarding the pre-Roman 
inhabitants of Britain, are not to be hastily rejected as wholly 
unworthy of credit, but at any rate deserve careful attention and 
study. 
Earl Netson now thanked all the gentlemen for their instructive 
and interesting papers; and also paid a graceful tribute of grati- 
tude to the amateurs who had so materially contributed to the 
harmony of the evening, and then taking leave of the kind and | 
