350 
coni ferae. This discovery took place at the north-east, and was 
on the verge, just where the plateau joined the declivity. 
Cuttings were then made at intervals of a few feet all round 
the edge, in the same position, without success, till, on arriving 
at the north-west, the same appearance was exhibited. In 
result it was found that the platform was 80 feet long and 
5 feet wide, paved with smooth flattened stones from the 
shore in a true curve, forming a segment of a circle, and cover- 
ing a space between and including the north-east and north-west 
points of the compass (fig. 34). The platform itself, and the earth 
beneath it to a considerable depth, were highly charred, large 
masses of charcoal filled the interstices between the stones, and 
on washing the earth obtained from the same position, it was 
found to be full of portions of bone, so reduced in size as to 
show that the cremation must have been most complete. 
Taking the latitude of the mound, and the points of the compass 
where the sun would rise and set on the longest day, this segment- 
shaped platform, devoted apparently to sacrifice by fire, is 
found to fill up the remaining interval, and thereby complete 
the fiery circle of the sun’s course, which would be deficient by 
that space. Near the centre of this hillock was found under 
the surface a much larger stone than any on the hill, and 
which may have formed part of the foundation of an altar. 
Indeoendently of the time of year indicated by this fire agreeing 
with that of the midsummer fires of the Druids, we have here 
not only apparently an evidence of solar and serpent worship, 
but also of sacrifice. In Scotland also fire in connection with 
the cross was the signal for blood-shedding * 
43. Observe then,— with the Hebrews was the custom ot 
keeping fire burning nocturnally, from sunset to sunrise, and 
this in connection with sacrifice; in the monument before 
us appears the same custom on a magnificent scale, viz., for a 
particular occasion the burning seems to nave been so arranged 
as even to fill up the arc of the sun’s disappearance from the 
point of his setting to his rising again , completing, as it were, 
the circle of his light and heat. T 
44. But let us look for one moment at another wide-spreaa 
class * of traditions ; — time will only permit me to give one 
illustration. 
We find amongst the books of the ancient Americans one m 
* The symbol which summoned to arms — Scott. Since reading this paper 
I have, through a suggestion by Mr. Win. Simpson, discovered west of Bute 
a vast lithic temple (hitherto unrecorded) arranged in a serpentine form, 
with a cross transept, and having along its course evidences of interment ; 
and on the Mendip Hills beautifully serpentine arrangements ot barrovs, 
evidently connected with the great religious places of the Celts. 
