279 



their present condition, and serve to show how much injury 

 they have suffered even during the present century. 



The largest tumiilus of this district stands on Selsley Hill ; 

 it is known as " The Toots," and has been opened in three 

 places, but I am not aware that any record has been preserved of 

 the results of this disturbance. The Bown Hill Tumulus (I^o. 2) 

 was opened by the Club in May, 1863, and found to have been 

 formed over stone chambers ; particulars of this examination are 

 given in the " Proceedings of the Club," Yol. III., page 199. 

 The tumulus on Minchinhampton Common, popularly known as 

 "Whitfield's Tump," has been so thoroughly distiirbed as to 

 render it difEicult to ascertain its original form and dimensions. 



The belief that these tumuli contained treasure led to the 

 disturbance of the remarkably fine barrow (No. 4) which 

 occupies the ridge immediately above the northern entrance to 

 Gatcombe Park. About sixty years ago, a poor woman, who, 

 from the faith she placed in her dreams of hidden treasure, 

 gained the sobriquet of " Molly Dreamer," spent much time in 

 digging into this and other barrows of the neighbom-hood. 

 Within the present year this tumulus has been opened by our 

 associate. Canon Lysons, and at the eastern end two very large' 

 stones occupying the centre of the mound were uncovered. 

 Dwarf waUs neatly constructed of Stonesfield slate curve in 

 from the east and tenninate at these stones, and by openings 

 made in the sides of the tumulus indications were obtained that 

 this dwarf wall extends round the whole mound.* 



* Note. — April, 1871. At the time the above-mentioned examinations were 

 made no chamber was met with, but since then a fine stone chamber has been 

 accidentally discovered by a workman in Mr. Eichardo's employ. It occupies a 

 spot on the northern side, nearly at the widest part of the tumulus, and is 8 ft. 

 long, 4 ft. wide, 6 ft. 6 in. high, and has an entrance porch 3 ft. square ; this porch 

 was faced by two stones so placed as to give access by a small opening between 

 them. This structure is formed by seven stones placed on edge, and the 

 sepulchral chamber is covered with a massive stone. 9 ft. 6 in. long and 5 ft. 6 in. 

 wide. The spaces between the upright stones are filled in by walls of Stonesfield 

 slate very neatly arranged, and in some parts these are brought over towards the 

 top so as to meet the covering stone. One skeleton was found ; the corpse had 

 apparently beou placed in a sitting position at tlie farthest end of the chamber. 

 The skull measured 8 inches iu length, and 5 inches in breadth. 



