392 The Pre-historic Antiquities [July, 



stones breaking the lid, as above the cist several pieces of rock vpere 

 found. The lower portion of the cist was formed of small portions 

 of flaggy Hmestones, which had been arranged with considerable 

 care, in the form of a pavement when the cist was being made. 



Several fragments of hmnan bones were met with in this cist. 

 These consisted of fragments of ribs, a portion of a femur, two os 

 calces, a portion of a lower jaw, and other fragments. The portion 

 of the lower jaw had appertained to a young person of from six to 

 eight years of age, and one of the os calces seems referable to the 

 same individual. The other os calcis appears to have belonged to a 

 nearly, if not quite, full-grown person; and the fragment of the 

 femur, which had the epiphyses fully united, seems also to have 

 formed part of the skeleton of an adult. The length and thickness 

 of the thigh bone when compared with tlie corresponding bone of 

 the skeleton of a modern full grown individual indicate a person of 

 small stature. 



The length of the cist also points out the small size of the body 

 which had occupied it. This was not more than 4 feet 2 inches 

 long ; and as its depth did not exceed 18 inches, it is not probable 

 that the body was buried in a crouching position. 



The remains in this cist had been to some extent disturbed ; but 

 this had resulted from the burrowing of rabbits, the bones of which 

 were found along with the human remains. Associated Avith these 

 there occurred also fragments of the bones of swine. A portion of 

 the right side of the upper jaw of this animal contained in the cist 

 exhibited the last molar tooth, which was of a large size. The 

 condition of this fragment indicated that it had long been buried ; 

 its state being similar to that of the human bones, and altogether 

 different from the rabbits' bones, which have a very recent aspect. 



Among the bony fragments of this cist were two upper incisor 

 human teeth of rather a large size, and having the cutting surfaces 

 considerably worn. 



The two bodies in this stone and earth circle seem to have been 

 placed originally in a north and south dfrection, the heads being 

 towards the latter. 



It would be premature, from these human remains, to draw any 

 general conclusions as to the characters of the race which at an 

 early period inhabited the shores of Lough Gur ; and which buried 

 its dead within the circles so abundant near tliis lake. Further 

 evidence will probably bo obtained from some of the other circles. 

 So far, however, as these human remains enable us to judge, they tell 

 us of a broad-headed people, with small eyes and of short stature, 

 approximating more nearly to the present Fins and La]is than to 

 any other race of men. And this circumstance is in accordance with 

 many of the conclusions which have been arrived at concerning 

 the pre-historic races of other countries. 



