166 Mr. George Tate on Ancient Sculptured Rocks, 8fc. 



From Professor Simpson I have received a rubbing of an 

 inscription recently discovered on the Peak of Derbyshire ; 

 the figure consists of six concentric circles around a central 

 hollow — Plate XL, Jig. 9. 



In Ireland many sculptured rocks are to be seen, some 

 merely analogous to those in Northumberland, but others 

 of the same type. Inscriptions on New Grange Mound 

 or Cairn, have been long known ; it was opened in 1699, 

 and proved remarkable, not only for the mighty stones 

 which formed its gallery and chambers, but also for the 

 sculptures on the great blocks of stones forming the roofs 

 and sides of the cells. The figures are chiefly spiral, resem- 

 bling somewhat the scroll-work which ornaments the crosses 

 of a later period ; along with these are lozenge and zigzac 

 forms. Such figures are more ornamental than symbolical. 

 Besides these there were other forms, which were regarded 

 by imaginative antiquaries of a former generation, as letters. 

 Professor King has recently examined this so called " Sorcery 

 Chamber," and found that the sculptures have been made 

 by a pointed tool, on glaciated blocks, marked with ice 

 scratches and furrows. 



A similar sepulchral chamber at Dowth, contained on a 

 huge stone, between two cells, inscriptions more nearly 

 related to those in Northumberland ; one figure is formed of 

 two very rude concentric circles around a hollow ; another 

 of a rude circle surrounded by radiating grooves — Plate XL, 

 ■fig. 11 ; and a third, of two concentric circles around a cross. 

 It must be observed, that a cross as a symbol, is not confined 

 to Christianity. 



Recent researches in the south of Ireland have, however, 

 revealed sculptures of precisely the same family character as 

 those in Northumberland. Mr. Stuart some time ago sent me 

 a sketch of the cast of one of these stones, which shews one 

 figure with three concentric circles around a cup, whence 

 issues the radial groove ; and by Lord Dunraviu, I have been 

 favoured with drawings of two other stones found in the 

 county of Kerry, underneath several feet of bog. One of 

 these is figured in Plate XL, Jig. 8, to shew how closely the 

 Irish sculptures are allied to the Northumbrian forms ; there 

 are concentric circles around cups, united in some cases with 

 grooves.* Very recently, the top stone of a cromlech has 



* Of the Irish inscriptions an account is expected from the Very Reverend 

 Dean Graves, D.D. 



