PRE-HISTORIC DWELLINGS. 
365 
The character of these remarkable dwellings will be best 
seen by referring to the sketches on Plate XV., figs. 1, 2, 3, 4. 
In explanation of these Mr. Joass writes as follows : — 
“ Our principal explorations of late have been in a glen running from 
Helmsdale ; about four miles from the entrance to which the sketch (fig. 1) 
was taken. Here we observed a circle (A), 48 feet in diameter, formed of 
rude boulders and smaller stones, with an entrance to the S.E. Wishing to 
press on to the examination of another circle beneath which a subterranean 
passage had been discovered, we made no digging here. From A was visible 
B and C, which I had previously explored, and a heap of stones well up on 
the hill at D, which looked extremely tempting. B is a cairn, 142 feet long 
and 10 feet high, composed of small river-rolled stones. At its higher end 
is a small opening, into which I entered and penetrated to a distance of 
12 feet along a passage 3 feet high and 2 feet wide, formed by rude upright 
stones roofed by similar slabs. Further ingress was prevented by the falling- 
in of the roof. Near the end I found a portion of a human skull, uncom- 
monly thick, and a periwinkle shell. 0 (fig. 1) is a kiln-shaped structure, 
though there is no evidence that it was ever used as such, no scrap of lime- 
stone or ironstone being near. Moreover, it is in a granite district. D (fig. 1) 
is a ruined tower, situated on the shoulder of a hill .commanding a most 
extensive view to the N., S., and W. This may be of Pictish age and origin. 
About a quarter of a mile from it, on a small shelf or terrace, there is a circle 
(fig. 3) similar to that marked A in fig. 1. In its inner circumference was a 
small opening, creeping backwards into which with a lighted candle I found 
myself in a subterranean passage, following the line of the circle for about 
30 feet, and being at its termination 6 feet below the surface (fig. 4). Three feet 
from the end of this passage a square opening in the roof, closed from above 
by irregularly-shaped stones, appeared to have given communication with the 
surface. The height of the passage was 5 feet, and its width 3| feet. Was 
this the sleeping-apartment, or the winter residence of those who occupied 
the upper circle in summer time i Other similar excavations are said to 
have been so used by the pre-historic people. One solitary shell, a peri- 
winkle, was all w r e found in it.” 
Here, then, we have a new group of arcliteological studies 
opened to us, one wbicli promises an excellent fruitage of pre- 
historic evidences, and which will be of the greatest value in 
our determination of the ethnic position of this ancient High- 
land people. Whatever light is to be thrown upon their lives 
must be from modern investigation ; nothing in past writings 
is likely to aid us ; although Bayle, in his “ Dictionary,” 
supports the opinion that Abaris was a Highland Scot ! Nor 
as yet can we say anything as to their positive age, or their 
relations in time with other pre-historic dwellings of different 
character. Possibly these hut-circles, with their subterranean 
winter retreats, were dwelt in contemporaneously with the 
lake-lodges of Switzerland and the crannoges of the Irish 
loughs ; for even with a larger measure of knowledge con- 
