Page:Cornwall (Salmon).djvu/49

 ANTIQUITIES fosse swell out into demilunes, the platform re- taining its circular form. The smallest Cornish circle is at Duloe, and was probably once a ring of stones encircling a cairn which has been subsequently removed. The arrangements of circles of stones in groups is another remarkable and unexplained feature. (2) Cists. The cists of Cornwall are numerous and remarkable for their enormous sizes as compared with those of other parts of England. They may be rivalled, however, by two or three examples in Wales. It may be pointed out that the term cist denotes a stone chest or receptacle closed on all sides, to which it was not intended that access should be had in future. (3) Cromlechs, sometimes, and particularly by continental antiquaries, called dolmens, are rude sepulchral vaults constructed with unhewn blocks of stone, and having the form of a chamber or a cist. (4) Chambers, which are rare in Cornv all, are rude sepulchral structures not entirely clo ;ed, to which there was probably a gallery or covt red passage for the convenience of subsequent in- terments. (5) Cairns are heaps of stones. They are usually circular in plan. (6) Holed stones, of which there are many examples in Cornwall. (7) Single pillars. (8) Line of pillars, of which there is one example. 31