542 



Plate XI., fig. 4, is a representation of this unique monument, as it 

 stands on elevated ground in the centre of a green field called Capndn 

 cuill, i.e. "the little cam of hazel" — the name, no doubt, originally- 

 applied to the cromleac itself, from having some hazel trees formerly- 

 growing round it, but which afterwards extended to the field. * It is 

 272 yards in an easterly direction from the residence of E. H. Hussey, 

 Esq., the proprietor of the estate. 



The large flag itself measures ten feet ten inches long, eight feet 

 six inches broad, and is three feet thick, with one edge resting on 

 the ground, and the other upon the upright or supporting stone before 

 described; it is inclined to the horizon at an angle of 37°, and faces 

 K N. E. 



Both stones constituting this monument consist of the natural bed 

 surface of lower Silurian rock, greenish grey calcareous grit, slightly 

 micaceous, which is found in abundance in the neighbourhood. 



In the month of August last my friend Mr. Du Noyer accom- 

 panied me to Eathkenny, and made a very careful drawing of all the 

 characters on the upper surface of the slab, which I was previously un- 

 able to record by means of a rubbing. To secure extreme accuracy we 

 divided the face of the stone into square feet, by transverse lines of 

 white twine, fastened on the extremities of the stone by ordinary shoe- 

 makers' wax. Having paper ruled off in square inches, there was no 

 difficulty in making a correct transcript of the entire face of the stone, 

 the characters on which will be more intelligible from an examination 

 of the drawing than any words could make them (Plate XII., fig. 5). 



It will be observed that there are upwards of three hundred depres- 

 sions, or cup- shaped hollows, which, although in several instances they 

 take the form of grouping, may be merely the result of weathering, 

 and not artificial. Having been so long exposed to the wasting action 

 of the weather, it would now be hazardous to pronounce with certainty 

 upon this point. It is, however, very remarkable that all these de- 

 pressions are distinct from, yet interspersed with, the singular collection 

 of inscribed lines which cover the face of this stone. These lines, con- 

 sisting of upwards of ninety separate characters, still exhibit the ori- 

 ginal clean and smooth cutting — for the most part in a triangularly 

 shaped hollowed line — some to the depth of nearly a quarter of an inch ; 

 and are, to all appearance, the delicate workmanship of some sharp 

 metallic tool, bearing a strong contrast in style of execution to the 

 rude sculpturing of the circles. 



I am not presumptuous enough to make any attempt at offering an 

 explanation of the reading or meaning of these mysterious characters, 

 yet I am not without hope that a key to their interpretation will be 

 found, and I trust at no very distant day. We cannot but admire the 

 perseverance and success of philologists in developing affinities in the 

 languages of various nations from the shores of the Pacific to Western 



* It has also been supposed that the name may have reference to the local tradition, 

 and may mean " the little cam of Finn Mac CumhaillP 



