By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 



85 



There is no doubt that the number eleven has been assigned to 

 these lines by careless observation, and once stated has been accepted 

 unchallenged by succeeding writers. In the same way the three 

 groups have been blended into one monument ; for as it is usual for 

 travellers to pass the short hour of their visit in examining the 

 avenues of Menec only, they are not aware that a gap intervenes 

 between each of the groups, and they take it for granted that the 

 eleven lines of Menec are continued through the other groups as far 

 as Kerlescant. 



It is strange that the local archaeologists have just as imperfect an 

 acquaintance with these monuments as we have in England, and not 

 one, so far as I know, has made a serious study of them. The 

 archaeological society of the Department appear to have devoted 

 their attention to the sepulchral chambers, and to have overlooked 

 these wonderful structures. Had they taken them into serious con- 

 sideration, and, as in duty bound, and in the interests of science, 

 under their protection, they could hardly have failed to raise a loud 

 and indignant protest against the work of destruction that is going 

 on every year, thereby rendering the problem of their construction 

 more and more difficult of solution. I have passed four successive 

 summers in examining and planning them, and it has deeply pained 

 me to mark in each year the vacant spaces which familiar friends 

 used to occupy. I have called the attention of that society to the 

 fact, and have likewise brought the matter to the notice of archaeol- 

 ogists at the International Congress of Pre-historic Archaeology, held 

 at Norwich, 1868. The Morbihan Society has slumbered over my 

 complaint ; but I am happy to say that at Norwich a committee 

 composed of English and French members was at once nominated, 

 to communicate with the Imperial Government, with a view to arrest 

 the mischief if possible. 1 I mention this here, as I do on all occasions, 

 because I wish it to be widely known that structures which take the 

 highest rank among" the most curious and colossal monuments of 

 the world are, even in these days when their study has become an 



1 A memorial signed by Sir John Lubbock, on behalf of the Committee, was 

 forwarded last Spring to the Prefet of the Morbihan, and it is hoped that steps 

 have been taken to prevent further mischief. 



