453 



of a fringe of threads or tassels* blown up by the wind, is quite in the 

 taste of the Gavrinis sculptures. It appears to the writer most probable 

 that it was some object similar to this which led the local antiquaries of 

 the last century to believe that among the sculptures of the dolmen 

 near Locmariaquer, called Les Fierres Plattes^ they could discern the out- 

 line of the sacred scarabseus. The Pierres Plattes are still standing ; 

 but the chamber has been filled with field stones, and the writer was 

 not able to uncover more than one of the five sculptured supports alleged 

 to exist there ; it also is in the same barbaric taste ; but the design on it, 

 if intended for a shield, as possibly it may be, does not present the peculiar 

 outline now under consideration. This characteristic feature, however, 

 , is plainly traceable on the sculpture which decorates the headstone of the 

 I chamber of the noble megalithic tomb called the Merchants^ Talle, 

 adjoining the Mane Nelud (Plate XXYI.). In the accurate work of De- 

 landre it is alleged that the upper member of this design is a perfect 

 ogee. This portion of the stone is much weather-worn; and the 

 writer was unable, with the closest examination, to trace the termination 

 I of the outline at top. But just below the commencement of those 

 I lines, the characteristic lateral contraction, or gathering-in, which gives 

 the insect appearance to the outline, is clearly apparent. A remarkable 

 series of crescent- like projections form a fringe down one side of the 

 panel, and may have existed symmetrically on the side opposite ; but 

 , the stone is too much worn to render this certain. The field is charged 

 I with pattern work of considerable elegance, executed in bas-relief, as 

 are the other parts of the design, which certainly seems intended to re- 

 present the shield of the personage whose war hatchet forms so con- 

 spicuous an object on the ceiling of the chamber. Comparing this and 

 the object from Isle Longue with the ogee-headed cartouche under con- 

 sideration, there seems no doubt that the latter is also designed as a 

 shield. 



>S'^<?ow<?/«/.— Separating the outline of the panel from the characters 

 with which it is charged, it would appear that these latter are not de- 

 signed for mere ornamentation, but constitute a significant group, re- 

 quiring a certain number of particular members to complete the expres- 

 sion of some meaning. This appears from the fact, that one member of 

 the group extends beyond the margin of the panel, and is partly confused 



* Confer Horn. Iliad. B. 446 i— 



/isra ^€ yXaVKwTTiQ ' ABrjvtj 

 AiyiS' exovg' epiTijxnVy dyrfpwv dOavccTTjv Tt 

 Trie ticaTov Ovaavoi Trayxpufffot i^fptQovTai^ 

 JldvTSQ ev7r\sK€fQ, SKarofilSoiog dl SKaaTog. 



With whom Minerva azure-eyed advanced, 

 Th' inestimable ^Egis on her arm, 

 Immortal, unobnoxious to decaj'. 

 An hundred braids, close- twisted, all of gold, 

 Each valued at a hundred beeves, around, 

 Dependent, fringed it." — Cowper. 

 Ti, T. A. PKOC, VOL. VTTI. 8 O 



