1872.] The Dolmen-Mounds of Brittany. 9 
agalmatolite, and mica-schist, interesting on account of their 
similarity with articles found in the lake dwellings of 
Switzerland. 
Another unusual type of dolmen is exhibited by that 
exhumed at Kergonfals, in the Commune of Bignan, near 
Locmine. In the first place, it is in the interior of the 
department, at a considerable distance from the sea coast, 
and therefore it is an exception to the generally received 
supposition that the dolmens are universally found by the 
shore, as the majority certainly are; but this, with other 
examples, seems to prove that it is only the richer cultiva- 
tion of the interior which has caused the demolition of the 
stone structures, whilst the exposure of the site and sterility 
of the soil have been the means of saving similar remains on 
the coast from the plough of the farmer. Again, the tumu- 
lus of Kergonfals is not built, as usual, on the summit, but 
on the side of a slight eminence. 
In company with two other dolmens, vzz., Le Rocher in 
Plougemelen and Les Pierres Plates at Locmariaquer, the 
allée couverte forms anangle. The plans of all three dolmens 
exhibit a decided curve, although in different directions. 
Another unusual feature at Kergonfals, also, is that the 
eastern extremity of the gallery is at a higher level than the 
chamber and adjacent passage, into which there is an abrupt 
descent ; two portions, also, of dry walling divided the gal- 
lery when first explored. The interior find was not large, 
comprising three blunt quartzose cells of rude type and im- 
perfect polish, two flint knives, and an empty pottery vase ; 
but the explorers were fortunate in obtaining some human 
bones, from a careful observation of whose position an ex- 
pert anatomist (Dr. Mauricet) was enabled authoritatively 
to state that they were the bones of a strong and athletic 
man, whose body had been placed in a sitting or crouching 
du vert de l’émeraude. Quelques echantillons sont comme marbrés de parties 
blanches et de parties bleuatres; d'autres sont maculés de veines et de taches 
brunes ou noires, par suite d’un mélange accidentel de matiéres argileuses. 
Le mineral est translucide, 4 peu prés autant que la chrysoprase. Sa cassure 
est compacte comme celle de lacire. II raie le calcaire, mais il est facilement 
rayé par une pointe d’acier. Sa poussiére est blanche, infusible au chalumeau. 
Cette substance est un phosphate d’alumine hydraté comme la turquoise 
orientale, mais elle en différe sensiblement, aussi bien par les proportions de 
ses principes constituants que par ses caractéres extérieurs. M. Damour, 
d’aprés les différences appréciables que existent entre ces deux matiéres, les 
sépare dans la classification des especes. Il emprunte a Pline le nom de 
callais, qu’il applique a notre minéral, et réserve celui de turquoise a la pierre 
précieuse de couleur bleu de ciel, si comme en joaillerie.—Voir la description 
de la callais par M. Damour; Comptes Rendus de l’Academie des Sciences, 
Tome lix., Séance du 5 Décembre, 1864.) 
VOL. II. (N.S.) Cc 
