1870.] of the Channel Islands. 151 



(5.) All the cromlechs were formerly covered with a tumulus of 

 earth; these remain in many instances, at Creux des Fees and 

 Du Thus, hut a large proportion have heen denuded of their earth- 

 mound either hy accident or design, as L'Ancresse, Le Trepied, 

 Mont Ube, Le Couperon, the Pocquelaye, &c. 



These are the chief external characteristics of these stone struc- 

 tures ; when we examine their interiors we find the following 

 noteworthy points : — 



(1.) Thick layers of limpet shells, forming a hard concrete, 

 through which a pick-axe is forced with difficulty. The solitary 

 exception to this general find is the cromlech of Yille Nouaux, in 

 Jersey, where no limpet shells were found when explored in May, 

 1869, by the author. 



(2.) A vast quantity of human bones, with bones of animals, 

 showing that the structure was used as a catacomb, and that inter- 

 ments had been made for a long period. Pavements of flat sea- 

 worn pebbles, over successive layers of interments, point to the 

 same conclusion. No bones, however, were found at Yille Nouaux. 



(3.) The presence of rude pottery and stone implements, and 

 absence of bronze or iron. 



(4.) The position of skeletons indicates that they were buried 

 in a sitting posture, similar to those found in the Scandinavian 

 tumuli. 



(5.) Absence of any attempt at ornamentation of the stones 

 similar to the engraved rocks of Gavr'Inis. Exception, the cup- 

 markings on the Kistvaen, in centre of L'Ancresse Common. 



One curious characteristic of these monuments may be noticed 

 more in Guernsey than in Jersey, viz. that the majority of these 

 structures are within sight of one another. Undoubtedly, in 

 primeval times, such monuments were in existence on every 

 headland round the coast; and it is possible that signal fires 

 may have been used in connection with them. Most of these 

 characteristic features are exhibited in the large cromlech on 

 L'Ancresse Common, which stands on an eminence, called by the 

 inhabitants of the Clos du Valle, Mont St. Michel, whilst the struc- 

 ture itself they call UAutel des Vardes. Two photoxylographs are 

 given of this interesting structure from different points of view (see 

 Plate I., Figs. 1 and 2) ; but although the huge capstones are well 

 shown, and the gradual diminishing of their size towards the east, 

 still no outside view can convey any idea of the size of the chamber 

 and passage beneath, in consequence of the sand and soil being so 

 heaped up around the outside of the structure, that only the tops 

 of the side props are visible. However, at the west end one may 

 stand upright beneath the largest capstone ; and when the soil was 

 removed from the floor during the exploration of this cromlech by 

 Mr. Lukis and his sons, the height of the western chamber was 



m 2 



