477 



or caudata of the miocene formation. I cannot] say that I observed 

 any. 



CTJEVA DE MENGAL. 



This remarkable monument is situated in the immediate vicinity of 

 the ancient City of Antequera, in the Province of Malaga. 



I shall not dilate on the many objects of interest which this pictu- 

 resque town still affords, although its magnificent collection of Moorish 

 armour was destroyed, or dispersed, during the Trench occupation. 

 It is on the site of a Koman town, and is full of Roman in- 

 scriptions, &c. 



The cueva has been known for a considerable time, but has not long 

 attracted the attention of antiquaries. In 1847, Don Eafael Mitjona 

 published an essay upon it, with some illustrations, which I have 

 borrowed for the present occasion. I have also given his measurements ; 

 but I will not trouble you with his theories, or discuss the question 

 whether we owe this monument to the Celts or the Tarduli. 



It is covered with a small mound ; but the ground has been so 

 much cleared away, that not only is the entrance easily accessible, but 

 ample light has been admitted. It is very grand and imposing. I 

 believe there are similar monuments in Brittany and Touraine ; but I 

 have not had yet the advantage of visiting them. 



It extends from east to west. The entrance is at the east ; in 

 length it is eighty-six and a half Spanish feet, and the greatest width is 

 twenty-two feet ; the height is from ten to ten and a half feet. These 

 are Spanish feet ; but the difference between an English and a Spanish 

 foot is insignificant.* 



The immense size of the stones is its most important feature. The 

 side walls are more than three feet thick, and consist of ten stones on 

 each side, and one stone closes it at the end. It is covered in by five 

 colossal slabs, which are partly supported by the lateral walls, and 

 partly by three great pillars. The following are the dimensions of the 

 covering stones, in the order as we enter the apartment : — 





Width. 



Length. 



Thickness. 



Cubic Feet. 



1. 



16 Ft. 



18 Ft. 



4 Ft. 



1,152 



2. 



141 



21 



4 



1,218 



3. 





26 



4 



1,300 



4. 



16 



27 



4* 



1,944 



5. 



23 



27 



4* 



2,794 



The stone is a limestone of the neighbourhood, and has no appear- 

 ance of regular dressing, nor is there any mortar used. On one of the 

 stones near the entrance I noticed three crosses in this form : — 



*-rf 



* Fig. 1, PI. xxxvi., is a view of the exterior of this cave; fig. 2 is a section, and 

 fig. 3 a ground plan of it. PI. xxxvii. represents the interior of the cave. 



