29 Transactions. 
of loose stones—a mere pile of stones, indeed, not significant 
enough to have attracted notice, were it not that we find the 
apex of this stone pointing unmistakably to the Four Standing 
Stones of Newton on the Shore Fields, a third of a mile away. 
This is the point par excellence that seems to me important and 
most interesting in our research into the meaning of these strange 
symbols. If we can be sure, and until I hear on undoubtedly 
authentic word that this slab was only recently so placed, I shall 
believe in its position. If, I repeat, we can be sure that this was 
the original position of the slab, we have gained at least one 
clear step further towards the elucidation of the mystery of these 
Petroglyphs ; for we have then a proof of their having some 
bearing on the burial-places and sepulchral customs of the people 
who erected these standing stones, and poised these sculptured 
symbols just this way and no other. 
The details of this Laggan Stone are these: There are three 
groups of rings, each with central cup. Tke group at the apex 
has 4 rings (diameter of outer ring being 8 inches) and 2 grooves. 
The middle group has 5 rings, diameter 9 inches. The third 
group has 4 rings, diameter 8 inches. 
The groups are so arranged that a line bisecting the stone from 
the middle of the lower edge to the apex cuts the centre of the 
cup in the apex group and touches the east edge of the cup in 
the lowest group. 
The sides of the stone measure, beginning from apex, eastward, 
2 feet 1 inch, 10 inches, 1 foot 10 inches, 1 foot, and 1 foot 10 
inches. The spaces between the ring-groups are 8 inches and 3 
inches respectively. The cups are rather over 1 inch in diameter, 
and the outer rings are exactly 1 inch across from centre to 
centre. 
Again continuing our progress, this time seawards, we come at 
another half mile or nearly so, to the huge grave above referred 
to as the Standing Stones of Newton: very often called 
“The Three Standing Stones,” for the simple reason that only 
three points are visible from the distance. 
This sepulchral monument, however, really consists of seven 
stones visible above ground; first, a long flattish one, 
measuring 3 feet 10 inches by 1 foot 5 inches, and very thick, 
apparently the kist cover. At either end of it a headstone, 
2 feet 1 inch by 1 foot, and a footstone, 3 feet by 1 foot, and 
ad 
