262 THE FOGOTT AT HAXLIGET, TRELOWARREN. 



generally curved, and every means appears to have been adopted 

 to make them as intricate as possible. 



Dr. Borlase says that in a field at Trelowarren there was 

 opened in July, 1751, an earthen barrow, very wide in circum- 

 ference, but not 5 feet high ; in it was found a parcel of stones 

 set in some order, forming a cavity 2 feet in diameter and of 

 equal height ; it enclosed bones of all sorts, intermixed with 

 wood ashes. There was no urn in the cavity, but two were 

 found at a distance of a few feet from it, one on each side, with 

 their mouths turned downwards and small bones and ashes 

 inclosed. 



The Doctor also says, that the workmen found near the 

 middle of the mound three thin bits of brass — the fragments of a 

 sword or other instrument ("Antiquities," p. 201, ed. 1754). 



Polwhele thinks that the barrow described by Borlase stood 

 over the subterranean galleries ; if such were the case, it would 

 shew how completely the cave was hid, when such an acute 

 observer as Dr. Borlase could have walked over it without per- 

 ceiving the least trace of its existence. It is probable, however, 

 that the barrow described by the Doctor stood between the cave 

 and Trelowarren House ; where a large mound raised on the re- 

 mains of an ancient barrow may still be seen. 



Some years ago, there were, I believe, pieces of ancient 

 pottery found within the Trelowarren cave ; but nothing at 

 present shows for what purpose this structure was designed — it 

 is quite unsuited as a dwelling-place, having no openings for 

 light or air other than could come through one small doorway. 



Numerous instances might be given of places of sepulture 

 having somewhat similar arrangements, but the Cornish caves 

 have as yet yielded but little to prove that they were used as 

 such. 



In the Constantine Cave, Polwhele found a pit containing 

 ashes. The situation of these galleries within forts seems, how- 

 ever, to show that they were specially connected with military 

 operations. Passages of this kind in Ireland are considered by 

 archaeologists of that country to have been constructed as 

 depositories for stores, arms, provisions, and such necessaries as 

 required protection from the weather, and yet be at hand ready 

 for use. 



