62 PAPERS, ETC. 



formed of stoues overlapping one another, and having a 

 cap-stone instead of a key-stone." 



Here, then, vre must bring to a close these remarks on 

 Chambered Tumuli. There can be no doubt as to their 

 very early date, and tbat they extend far beyond tbe limit 

 of any written history, and lie enveloped in the same 

 gloom of antiquity which ensbrouds those wonders of our 

 land — Avebury and Stonebenge. From tbe existence of 

 similar remains in different regions, tbey seem to point to a 

 people who had widely spread tbemselves over tbe face of 

 the globe, and wbo were endued with great respect for the 

 dead, and, it may be, amongst whom some knowledge of 

 primeval traditions lingered. We may not venture to 

 assign any probable date, except that they were antecedent 

 to the Coming of the Romans, very probably by some cen- 

 turies. Let us hope that what still exist in this country, 

 few though the remains be, they may be preserved with 

 care and respect ; and if our Society, while it endeavours 

 to unravel their hidden origin, calls attention to their pre- 

 servation, it confers upon the history of our race, and upon 

 succeeding generations, a lasting benefit. 



KEFERENCE TO PLATE V. 



A.— Leg and thigh bones, with smaller fragments, were found. 



B.— Confused heaps of bones and earth. 



C— Four jaw-bones, with teeth perfect ; also, upper part of two crania ; 

 also, leg, thigh, and arm-bones, with vertebrac ; one of the 

 side stones of this cell had fallen down across the entrance. 



D.— Fragments of an eartlwn vessel, with bnmt bones; also a number 

 of bones, apparently reliques of two or three skeletons. 



E.— Stonc placed across the passage. 



