298 holmes: pre-historic remains of rombalds moor. 
obtain any further information. Still this hypothesis accords so 
much to features common and striking, as I believe to be the most 
feasible yet started of the complex styles of figuring. At present 
it is but hypothesis, but bears probabilities such as, 1st, being like 
what charts or ground plans of rude works would be worked upon 
stones with such tools as these evidently have been ; 2nd, these 
curious or chart-like markings are chiefly found upon stones placed 
horizontally, or so inclined or placed as to be well seen, if not to 
court observation. All those at Ilkley show signs of being sur- 
rounded by a wall or large stones, as though to note or protect them. 
It is true that some have been found covered over, as at New Grange, 
and one at Craigie Hill [Sir J. Y. Simpson, p. xv.] formed the cover- 
ing stone, with the circled face down. But these were clearly incised 
stones, re-placed or re-used, and were not in original situ, or were, in 
fact, carved for ornament or memorial. So we have these singular 
chart figurings upon the tops of huge dolmens in Cornwall, [Borlase, 
p. 174] and exactly similar markings upon the dolmens in Moab [See 
illustration and description of dolmens at Hesbon, Heth, and Moab, 
1883, pp. 190-293, and in April and October Quarterly Reports of 
Palestine Society, 1882]. In Claperton and Denham's explorations 
in Central Africa a chart is given of King Bolino's domains, 5 to 15 
lat. and 10 long., which, if placed by the side of stone on plate 5, 
and of Long Meg, p. 7, by Sir Jas. Y. Simpson, it will be seen that 
they are very similar in form and apparently identical in intention. Or 
place the chart of Thorsby's Course of the River Aire, 1715, with the 
district map of the Ilkley Guide, 1882, or any illustrated railway 
chart of any advertising railway route, and place them upon 
stones, and they will be found to be as much alike as possible. Were 
we to figure on first, second, and third class towns or stations by the 
actual number of circles round a dot or cup, we should get the actual 
figurings as upon our Ilkley stones, at the Panorama rocks ; and 
taking into account that ancient forts had from one to several circles, 
and that ancient Babylonian towns had from three to seven walls — 
Ecbatania to wit — and that towers had seven stages, and chart these 
upon rocks we shall have the reality of the stone puzzles plain 
