56 MEGALITttIC REMAINS AT POXWELL, DORSET. 



secmcu to me that a sketch of what remains of it, in situ, would 

 make a note on its present condition of greater interest to those 

 of our members who may never have had an opportunity of 

 visiting the place. It is now just 110 years ago since Hutchins 

 in his History of Dorset, vol. L, p. 151 (1774) wrote his des- 

 cription of the Poxwell "Circle," which has always been 

 known in my own family (who have been the owners of the 

 property for many generations past) as the " Druid's Temple." 

 Mr. Dunkin, however, is of opinion that this name (or rather 

 the kindred one) " Druidical Circle" is inappropriate, and that 

 it is the remains of " a Sepulchral Memorial." Of course I am 

 unable to offer any opinion on this. Hutchins says nothing on 

 the point ; nor does he, indeed, give it any name. His descrip- 

 tion is, however, very accurate, and the whole is, for the most 

 part, in the same state as when he wrote the History of Dorset, 

 though the surrounding " ditch," of which he speaks, has 

 almost disappeared, and I could not satisfactorily make out the 

 ' four pretty large stones about 200 yards distance on the N.E. 

 and E," which he surmises may " have formed another larger 

 circle, or an avenue to the former.'' It is very likely, however, 

 that these four stones have been displaced since Hutchins' days, 

 as there are at present several stones, partly imbedded in the 

 turf, but still more or less visible above ground, in the same 

 direction, though no more than from 26 to 60 yards distant from 

 the complete circle, and not, apparently, now so situated as to 

 give the least idea of having forward either part of a larger 

 circle or the remains of an avenue. Mr. Dunkin only notices 

 one (the largest) of these stones, which meas ares now five feet 

 in length. I ought to mention 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 evidently sub- 

 jected to more or less recent disturbance. Neither Hutchins 

 nor Mr. Dunkin appears to have noticed these, which possibly 

 may have once formed part of a Cromlech. I have not 

 attempted any detailed description of the "Druids Temple." as 



