Prehistoric Dwelling Places 91 



the charcoal remains in this one indicate that the fireplace was 

 also here at the uprising end. Where, if elsewhere, the original 

 entrance was there was nothing to show, as the roof and upper part 

 of the walls had all been, at the east end, removed. The rest of 

 the Souterrain was complete. The shaded part in the plan and 

 section show the portion that had been filled in. The general 

 construction shows that in making the Souterrain the builders 

 had first excavated a large trench, in which they built the 

 house, covering it over with the usual immense flagstones. Like 

 most of the County Down type of Souterrain, the stones of the 

 side walls are dressed, the chips made in the dressing forming the 

 gravel floor. The dressed stones of the walls fit together so 

 closely that no soil permeated through in the process of time, 

 thus leaving the floor perfectly clear. The ventilating system in 

 this Souterrain resembles that in most other examples, no less 

 than four vents existing, as shown in the plan. Like the Knock 

 Dhu Souterrain these vents are in such a position that by the use 

 of cowls, or wind catchers, they could have been used to form an 

 inward draught to remove the smoke of the fire on the raised 

 floor at the east end. This Souterrain, although closed and lost 

 for probably a century, is referred to by Harris as being well 

 known to him in 1744. 



Another fine Souterrain in Lecale is near Rathmullan, on 

 the farm of Mr. Wilson, who conducted me through it, and 

 expressed his willingness to assist in any excavation or investi- 

 gations I cared to make. The plan and sketch shown display a 

 very remarkable peculiarity in the obstacles or defence points. 

 Near the entrance, the main Souterrain descends by a trap in 

 the floor. Like Knock Dhu and Muckamore, this trap could 

 have at any time been covered by a slab, and with a few shovel 

 fulls of earth been completely hidden. This main part of the 

 Souterrain is separated into several divisions by extraordinary 

 obstacles clearly shown in the section. These could be easily 

 defended in case of an attack. This passage is almost 120 feet 

 long, and Mr. Fennel, who drew this plan, has cut out a 



