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320 NOTES.that cows usually take shelter under it. In Great Britain andIreland it were easy to add to theabove a numerous list, but Ishall content myself with the following quotation from OlausWormius^— '' Ararxim structura apud nos varia est. Maxima exparte congesto ex terra constanttvmulo^ in cvjus summitate trt'aingentia saxa, qunrtuni zlludque majus^ latins ac planius^ sustlnent^fulciunt^ac sustentant^ ut instar mensa> trihus fulcris enixaeemineat.^'—i. e. " The structure of altars with us is various.For the most part they consist of a raised hillock of earth, on thesummit of which three huge stones sustain, prop, and support afourth one, larger, broader and plainer, so that it overtopsthem, like a table leaning on three feet.'*Though this great antiquarynever found, in Scandinavia or Germany, a single altaFwithin any of the stone circles, yet the Cromlech has, in theabove passage, been accurately described. Nor is it at all wonderfulthat Celtic monuments so gigantic and durable, should lastso long, though it is nearly 2500 years since the Celts were expelledfrom Scandinavia and the north of Germany.regard to the existence of Cromlechs.So far withBefore we attempt to determine their use, it is necessary torecapitulate their discriminating characteristics. The Cromlechwas by far larger than the altars in the temples, or on thesacred earns, and hence we may infer that it was calculated forthe oblation of a plurality of victims. All other altars were encircledby a sacred earn, or temple, but this was surrounded byno sacred pale; whence we may conclude that al! might approachit.All other altars were nearly level with the ground, but thiswas elevated like a theatre, that all might behold. The 16thchapter of the 6th book of Ccesar throws considerable lightonthis point, and I shall here translate it— *' All the nation of theGauls is greatly addicted to superstitions, and for that reason,they who are afflicted by more severe diseases, and who are exposedto battles or dangers, cither offer men for victim^;, or vowthat ihey will offer them, and they make use of the Druids asministers to offer these sacrifices, because they Ihljik the wrathof the immortal gods cannot be appeased, unless the life of a mar*