1872.) The Amorpholithic Monuments of Brittany. 441 
the five northern lines is a long barrow, a significant fact. 
Again, the avenue between the fifth and sixth lines is of 
a greater width throughout its entire length than the others, 
the lines composing it being nearly parallel. 
There is also a certain symmetry observable, taking the 
whole thirteen lines together, there being a centre group of 
three lines, on either sides of which is a broader avenue 
tolerably parallel, beyond again on either side is a group of 
five lines converging, the breadths between which are largest 
on the outermost side. Such are the three groups which, 
together, constitute the celebrated lines of Carnac, and 
which have been hitherto erroneously described as one 
monument. There is another misconception of the site of 
these circles and avenues, to which I may here allude in 
order to correct. Some writers speak of ‘‘the great plain 
of peulvens at Carnac* on the solitary peninsula of Quiberon,” 
and ‘‘the rugged wastes of Carnac.” Now the neighbour- 
hood of Carnac is not the desert that would be inferred 
from the above-quoted descriptions; there are fields and 
gardens, farms and villages, woods, and some almost pretty 
scenery. It is certainly not om the peninsula of Quiberon, 
celebrated for the ill-fated expedition of the Royalists in 
1795. The peninsula itself is certainly solitary, and its 
sand-dunes, by degrees being planted, are not inviting, and 
there are some remains of lines and circles of stone upon 
it, which will presently be noticed. Mr. Lukis, in speaking 
of the view from Mt. S. Michel, talks of vast heaths, un- 
dulating country, fir plantations, and small villages, nestling 
among elm trees, and,. further on, of threshing yards and 
gardens—that is a true description of the landscape, and 
does not suggest “‘ the rugged wastes of Carnac.” 
Before considering in detail the characteristics of these 
curious alignments, we will proceed to describe the other 
assemblages of amorpholiths in the departments of the Mor- 
bihan and Finistére. Our poet laureate, Alfred Tennyson, 
must surely have had these parts of Brittany in his view, 
rather than Cornwall, when he wrote in ‘‘ The Holy Grail” — 
** And then, with small adventure met, Sir Bors 
Rode to the lonest tract of all the realm, 
And found a people there among their crags, 
Our race and blood, a remnant that were left 
Paynim amid their circles, and the stones 
They pitch up straight to heaven: and their wise men 
Were strong in that old magic which can trace 
The wondering of the stars, and scoffed at him 
And the high Quest as at a simple thing.” 
The most extensive of all the lines is not far from 
VOL. II. (N.S.) ag & 
