142 Mr. George Tate o?t Ancient Sculptured RocJcs, 8fc. 



central cup and another parallel to it from the outer circle. 



Concentric arches over a cup, from which there is a straight 

 groove — Fig. 7. 



Horse-shoe figure around a cup — Fig. IS. 



A figure of the common type, but with the addition of 

 nine grooves radiating from the outer circle and directed 

 southward — Fig 4. 



Some figures inclose more than one cup ; two examples of 

 this are here given, along with forms considerably different 

 from the common type. 



An oblong figure rounded at the corners and contracted at 

 the base, with twelve cups and a groove from the centre ; it 

 is difficult to give an intelligible description of it, and refer- 

 ence must be made to Fig. 12. 



Three concentric squares rounded at the corners, having 

 within them many cups and a radial groove — Fig. 8 ; both 

 these forms we could imagine to be circles squeezed out of 

 their normal state. 



Less characteristic forms are : — 



Concentric ovals — Fig. 9. j^^ 



A circle. _ ^ ^ |^ 



A circle or series of concentric circles around a \^ 

 central hollow — Fig. 15. 15 



Round hollows or cups occur scattered over stones without 

 being enclosed by circles or other figures. 



Various forms are often combined with each other, present- 

 ing complicated, strange maze-like figures, which will be 

 best understood by reference to the plates. Two of the 

 simpler combinations may be noticed here. 



Circles and groups of circles united by a groove passing 

 from centre to centre — Fig. 3. 



Three detached circles, each around a cup, are united by 

 grooves, so as to give a rude resemblance to a plant with its 

 stem, its branches, and flowers — Fig. 10. 



With a few exceptions, these sculptures are marked by a 

 family character, which is readily recognisable by experienced 

 observers; yet though fifty-five different inscribed stones 

 have been discovered in Northumberland, no two of them are 

 alike. Even where abnormal forms appear, we are enabled, 

 by their association with figures of the common type, to 

 include them in the family group. 



III. CHARACTER OF THE SCULPTURING. 



All the figures are incised on sandstone ; some incisions 



