138 Tue Lost STONE OF KIRKMADRINE. 
or five bishops, successive or contemporaneous, like the 
Bishop of Galloway. 
They are called praecipui. This may be a mark of rank, 
or indication of character—eminent men in a position in which 
they were praecipui; or it is such a word of praise as was 
coming to be common on tombs. 
‘The other large stone has a very short inscription. At 
the top is the monogram in a smaller circle than is on the 
other stone, without the A et Q. The monogram is only on 
the front of this stone, while it is also on the back of the 
other. 
Below, in the middle of the line, is the letter S, followed 
by ET, then below in a line Floren, and in another line tius. 
The letters are cut much more rudely here than in the other. 
It seems as if the two were meant to be read together, and 
to mark the last resting place of at least five men. 
They were likely inserted in a cairn. The formula, 
monogram, and inscription on the first stone do not take up 
three feet, while it is nearly seven feet in height. Very likely 
the cairn was piled above the grave, and piety set up this 
monument of devotion. 
But the circumstances of their erection are as much un- 
known as what befell them for a thousand years. Little is 
known of the church and the place. One infers that the four 
monograms would add to the sanctity of these stones in the 
eyes of the contemporaries of Bede and their successors. In 
the twelfth century church building was regarded by the 
magnates of Galloway as a great means by which they could 
obtain grace from God. This led to the erection of a new 
place of worship at Kirkmadrine. Perchance the reverence 
called forth by these sacred memorials led the builders to add 
beauty to strength in the building erected. They brought 
stone from Cumberland that could, as the native stone could 
not, be moulded and dressed into arch and pillars. 
About that time old districts were sub-divided into 
parishes, often named after, because put under the protec- 
tion of, saints. Draichan or Dryne, the patron of this parish, 
was one of the minor saints, and one wonders if it is owing 
to his being so little known that this parish is called indif- 
