20 Transactioiis. 



of ii hainiiier. Tliis ancient cross is extremely rude, and probably 

 pre-bistoric ; the wliole surface near it being thus picked out in 

 precisely the same way as our cup and ringmarks are. It measures 

 5 feet high by 1 foot across the arms. 



On the other — the north side of the stone — is carved another 

 cross of a much more interesting cliaracter, and comparatively 

 modern. Its lines ai'e driven with chisel and mallet. Now, in 

 addition to its odd little cup and ringmark near the riglit hand 

 angle of the central boss, and a single ring above on the left, the 

 peculiar ornamentation on the entire lower surface of the stone is 

 remarkable. I am inclined to think it may be unique. No other 

 stone in Stuart's "Sculptured Stones" has the same simple diamond- 

 shaped pattern ruiining through it. In that work this stone is 

 represented, but not so satisfactorily as it ought to be. Another 

 point in it is the sort of shoulder formed by the deep notch — one 

 on each side — about 6 inches below the arms of the cross. 



Referring to the map we now find if we turn north that, at 1210 

 yards, we come to very near the spot at Bardristan where, last 

 year, a slab was found covered all over with cup and ringmarks- 

 lb is a small squarish thin piece of whinstone, about 15 inches 

 across, and sculptured as you see with a considerable variety of 

 these mysterious symbols. 



The largest ring measures 3i inches in diameter, the cups 

 about 1 inch. It would have been valuable to know in what 

 position this slab was found, whether quite alone or with other 

 stones, whether sculptm-ed or not ; but as it was discovered in 

 the re-making of a drain, all chance of interpreting its position is 

 finally lost. It is now, thanks to the care of Mr Kinna, of 

 Newton-Stewart, kept at Bardristane, where it may be easily 

 seen. 



A second space of 1210 yards, this time in an N.E. direction, 

 brings us to the standing stones of High Auchenlarie. These two 

 stones are not now on their original site, having been removed 

 about 28 years ago to the garden of Cardoness. Here, 

 again, we touch the archaic ; the lines are so simple, 

 and are again conjoined to cup marks. The single line 

 running outside the main design is also curious. The stones are 

 respectively 5 feet 6 inches and 4 feet 8 inches ■ high, and .stood 

 upon a knoll nearly midway between the Bardristane and 

 Auchenlarie Burns. Continuing our ramble, and crossing the 



