POXWELL CIRCLE. 151 



Some of these are quite level with, and some but little above, the 

 surface of the ground ; two of them on the S.W. above two feet, 

 and broad, some scarce a foot high. They are all extremely old, 

 rough, and irregular, and full of holes worn by the weather. 

 They stand on a lump, round which are the remains of another 

 circle. About 200 yards distance on the N.E. and E. are four 

 pretty large stones, which perhaps formed another larger circle, 

 or an avenue, to the former." 



With respect to this description Mr. Cambridge says the 

 account is " generally accurate, except as regards the four stones 

 about 200 yards distant, and the almost complete disappearance 

 of the ditch." 



" I ought to mention," he continues, " that about half a mile 

 or so N.E. of the circle, quite on the other side of the ridge, 

 are four other large stones from three to four feet in height (or 

 length) lying now in confusion, having been subjected to more 

 or less recent disturbance." 



Some men have no idea of distance, as those who have had 

 occasion to inquire their way in the country will know, and it 

 seems possible the four stones which appeared to Hutchins' 

 informant about 200 yards away were really these stones which 

 are nearly half a mile distant, and that they are broken down 

 menhirs, monoliths, a kind of totem poles. 



Dr. Colley March pronounces the material of these stones to 

 be a cherty limestone from the lower Purbeck, which crops out 

 here. Dr. March has examined most of the megalithic remains 

 in this part of the country, and this is the first instance he has 

 found of any other material than sarsen stone or tertiary con- 

 glomerate having been employed for this purpose. 



As to the stone circles, menhirs, cromlechs, bee-hive huts, 

 dolmens, and other megalithic remains in this island, the 

 question will present itself Who built them, who built Stone- 

 henge and Avebury, and for what purpose were they built ? I 

 am afraid no very conclusive evidence can be offered on these 

 points, though several theories have been propounded. There 

 is one markworthy characteristic of all theories about works of 



