By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 



157 



adopted by different families, or by subdivisions of tribes or septs," 

 (Celt, Roman and Saxon, p. 66.) This remark he applies to the 

 ordinary tumuli, but it is applicable also to those of which I have 

 been treating. Sir R. Colt Hoare, when describing the contents 

 of Stoney Littleton remarks : " The remains of bones prove that 

 the two systems of burial were here adopted, — the interment 

 of the body entire aud cremation: and after the most minute 

 investigation I have never been able to separate with any degree of 

 certainty, by two distinct periods, these different modes of burial," 

 (Archseologia, vol. xix., p. 47.) 



There is one striking dissimilarity between the Burial Customs 

 of the Danish and of the British and French races. Mr. Worsaae 

 says that the " chambers, and even the entrances, are filled with 

 trodden earth and pebbles, the object of which doubtless was to 

 protect the repose of the dead in their graves." It is certain that 

 the Guernsey cromlechs were originally dark chambers, occupied 

 merely by the mortal remains of the ancient people, and never 

 filled in with earth trodden in at the period of the interments. 

 In one of the side chambers of Du Tus, Guernsey, there was an 

 appearance of intentional filling up of the interior at the period 

 of the interment. This was in the remarkable instance of the two 

 kneeling corpses which were probably supported in this posture 

 by earth filled in and pressed around them. 1 But this is the only 

 instance hitherto met with, and certainly belongs to a comparatively 

 late period. My father remarks, with regard to the contents of 

 these cromlechs, in the Archaeological Journal, June, 1844, "In 

 most instances the mode of fracture (of the vessels) was indicated 

 by the edge of the fragments, and confirmed the supposition of 

 the gradual filling of those vessels which had retained an upright 

 position. The lower stratum which contained the original or more 

 ancient materials must have lain undisturbed for many years before 

 the next layer covered it." And a strong proof of the chamber 

 having been comparatively empty is afforded by the occasional 

 occurrence of supports, which have fallen, resting upon the ashes 



of the dead. 



1 See Plate. 



