STONE CIRCLES 



result is mainly negative ; there is not apparently such evidence of orien- 

 tation as would satisfy a critical observer, and the circles themselves are 

 but poor observatories, having no fixed point, like the great trilithon at 

 Stonehenge, to guide the sight. The following is a brief summary of 

 some of the facts. At Tregaseal, the Boslow menhir is N. 66 E., and 

 the probable sunrise point on i May, N. 69 E. From Dawns Men, 

 Chapel Carn Brea lies N. 55 W., and sunset on 24 June would be 

 N. 53 W. approximately. Viewed from Leaze, Catshole Tor, already 

 mentioned, is N. 69 E., and the probable sunrise point on i May would 

 be N. 68 i E. From Stannon, the top of Row Tor is N. 68 E., and 

 sunrise on i May about N. 71 E. The highest point of Louden Hill 

 lies N. 67 W. of Fernacre, and sunset on i May about N. 70 W. More 

 detailed information on this point will be found in sundry papers by 

 Mr. A. L. Lewis, who has paid special attention to the question. 1 

 Apart from exact orientation there is, as we have seen, a marked 

 tendency towards alignment in a north-easterly direction, instances 

 of which are the position of the menhirs at Boscawen-un and Dawns 

 Men, of the three circles, the Hurlers, and of the Nine Maidens, 

 St. Columb. 



Another phase is touched on by Richard Edmonds of Penzance, 2 

 who points out that Dr. Borlase has recorded nineteen stones in four of the 

 circles of West Cornwall and seeks for an explanation in the pages of Dio- 

 dorus Siculus. We have seen that there are at present nineteen stones at 

 Boscawen-un and Dawns Men, and at Whitemoorstone Down on Dart- 

 moor ; and that, allowing for a gap in each case, Tregaseal (E) and 

 Boskednan might have had the same number. Careful removal of the 

 turf may some day decide whether or no nineteen was the original 

 number of stones, but it is equally likely that the point will never be 

 settled. Assuming Dr. Borlase to be right, and he was a careful observer, 

 it is suggested that the number nineteen was intentional and had an 

 astronomical reference, being in fact the Greek Metonic cycle. The 

 passage of Diodorus Siculus referred to is in continuation of the one already 

 quoted. ' They say also that the god comes into the island at intervals 

 of nineteen years, in which time the stars perform a complete revolution ; 

 and therefore the period of nineteen years is among the Greeks called a 

 great year.' 8 This is the Metonic cycle, the golden number of the Prayer 

 Book, and it may be urged that this astronomical symbolism is too subtle 

 a development for the builders of such rude monuments. This may be 

 so, but it must be borne in mind that a difference of opinion about the 

 dates of festivals was one of the bones of contention between the Celtic 

 and Roman Churches. 



The Phallic cult is an obscure subject, but if we remember that in 

 other parts of the world menhirs, single or grouped, are often associated 



1 Arch. Journ., 1 892, xlix. 136; Journ. Anthrop. last. Aug. 1 895 ; Prof. Sue. Antiy. 28 April, 1 892. 



' Trans. Penz. Nat. Hist, and Antiq. Soc. 1850, p. 383-6. 



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 KaTa<rrd<Tts ITTL rtXos ayovrai- KOI Sia TOUTO TOV fvtaKai8icarriJ xpovov viro rtav 'EXAijvoov fj.iyav 

 enavrov wopA'^taOai. 



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