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 STONE CIRCLES result is mainly negative ; there is not apparently such evidence of orien- tation as would satisfy a critical observer, and the circles themselves are but poor observatories, having no fixed point, like the great trilithon at Stonehenge, to guide the sight. The following is a brief summary of some of the facts. At Tregaseal, the Boslow menhir is N. 66 E., and the probable sunrise point on i May, N. 69 E. From Dawns Men, Chapel Carn Brea lies N. 55 W., and sunset on 24 June would be N. 53 W. approximately. Viewed from Leaze, Catshole Tor, already mentioned, is N. 69 E., and the probable sunrise point on i May would be N. 68 i E. From Stannon, the top of Row Tor is N. 68 E., and sunrise on i May about N. 71 E. The highest point of Louden Hill lies N. 67 W. of Fernacre, and sunset on i May about N. 70 W. More detailed information on this point will be found in sundry papers by Mr. A. L. Lewis, who has paid special attention to the question. 1 Apart from exact orientation there is, as we have seen, a marked tendency towards alignment in a north-easterly direction, instances of which are the position of the menhirs at Boscawen-un and Dawns Men, of the three circles, the Hurlers, and of the Nine Maidens, St. Columb. Another phase is touched on by Richard Edmonds of Penzance, 2 who points out that Dr. Borlase has recorded nineteen stones in four of the circles of West Cornwall and seeks for an explanation in the pages of Dio- dorus Siculus. We have seen that there are at present nineteen stones at Boscawen-un and Dawns Men, and at Whitemoorstone Down on Dart- moor ; and that, allowing for a gap in each case, Tregaseal (E) and Boskednan might have had the same number. Careful removal of the turf may some day decide whether or no nineteen was the original number of stones, but it is equally likely that the point will never be settled. Assuming Dr. Borlase to be right, and he was a careful observer, it is suggested that the number nineteen was intentional and had an astronomical reference, being in fact the Greek Metonic cycle. The passage of Diodorus Siculus referred to is in continuation of the one already quoted. ' They say also that the god comes into the island at intervals of nineteen years, in which time the stars perform a complete revolution ; and therefore the period of nineteen years is among the Greeks called a great year.' 8 This is the Metonic cycle, the golden number of the Prayer Book, and it may be urged that this astronomical symbolism is too subtle a development for the builders of such rude monuments. This may be so, but it must be borne in mind that a difference of opinion about the dates of festivals was one of the bones of contention between the Celtic and Roman Churches. The Phallic cult is an obscure subject, but if we remember that in other parts of the world menhirs, single or grouped, are often associated 1 Arch. Journ., 1 892, xlix. 136; Journ. Anthrop. last. Aug. 1 895 ; Prof. Sue. Antiy. 28 April, 1 892. ' Trans. Penz. Nat. Hist, and Antiq. Soc. 1850, p. 383-6. 3 Xeyerai Se xal rov Oeov Si* irStv ivvtaKalBfKa KaTavrav tis T^P VTJITOV. ev ois <cai ai r!av aarptav airo- KaTa<rrd<Tts ITTL rtXos ayovrai- KOI Sia TOUTO TOV fvtaKai8icarriJ xpovov viro rtav 'EXAijvoov fj.iyav enavrov wopA'^taOai. 45