The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine

243

Reply to the Query relating to Stonehenge,

At p. 112 of the present volume of the Wiltshire Magazine.
By W. C. KEMM, Esq.

AM not aware of any instances in the immediate neighbourhood of Stonehenge, of church towers having large blocks of sarsen stone in their foundations, though there are many instances of it in the Pewsey vale and its vicinity.

My father resided for twenty-five years in West Amesbury House, and I have often heard him express his conviction, that a considerable quantity of fragments of the stones of Stonehenge were built into its walls. I could myself point out pieces of stone in the garden wall, which appear to be precisely similar in quality to the stones of the outer circle.

The house has undergone great alterations since my father lived in it. One of its wings was taken down about 1824 or 5, and about twenty-five years since, the court in front was filled up by building some rooms, so that it might not now be so easy to discover the original materials. It is now the farm house. Stonehenge stands on the estate, so that the builder of the house was the owner of that monument.

As to the time when some of the stones disappeared; it is most probable (if it was ever completed,) that a long period intervened between the destruction or removal of the first, and of the last of the missing stones. Inigo Jones, in his work on Stonehenge, which was written in 1620, according to the short account of his life prefixed to the edition of 1725, says, "Those of the inner circle, and lesser Hexagon not only exposed to the fury of all devouring age, but to the rage of men likewise, have been more subject to ruine. For being of no extraordinary proportions, they might easily be beaten down or digged up, and at pleasure made use of for other occasions, which I am the rather enduced to beleeve, because, since my first measuring the work, not one fragment, of some then standing are now to be found." Jones's Stonehenge, p. 63, original small folio of 1655; p. 42 ed. 1725.-W. C. K.

Donations to the Museum and Library.

The Society is indebted to the following gentlemen for Donations to the Library and Museum, received since the publication of the last number. The Rev. H. HARRIS, Winterbourne Bassett:—A small bronze finger ring, with space for stone setting. A bronze dagger seven inches in length. An implement of iron. Bronze buckle; all found on Winterbourne Bassett Down. Mr. NELSON GODDARD:-A small bronze penannular brooch. Two Roman coins found on Allington Down 1867.

The EXECUTORS of the late T. B, MERRIMAN, Esq., of Marlborough, have pre-
sented a very important addition to the Museum, consisting of the following
articles:-From the South Seas-Large stone hatchet. A smaller specimen of
the same form and make. Stone club. Two short clubs of hard wood. Small
hatchet. Long arrow. Carved paddle. Two war clubs. Carved war club,
Wooden spear. Six javelins. Five spears. Sword set with sharks' teeth. Broom.
From New Zealand-Preserved head of a tattoed warrior. Carved baton,
formed of a branch which has been naturally twisted by the action of a
parasitic plant, a tattoed head is carved on the top. Barbed lances and javelins
and bone pointed arrows. An arrow with flint head. Three iron headed arrows.
Bundle of darts and javelins. Two bone-headed bolts. A "Wampoo" (possibly
from Australia), a long "Wampoo." From China and the East Indies—
Chinese umbrella. Four bows, one seven feet in length. Metal opium pipe.
Chinese boots, shoes, and fans. "Housemaid's broom." (Bombay) Set of "chop-
sticks. Steel forceps in case. Dagger.—Pair of Canadian snow shoes. Model
of Esquimaux sledge and dogs. Model of Esquimaux boat with native man
and woman. Nubian hide whip. Stock-whip and leather trappings. Cranium
of hyena, ditto of porpoise. Fine specimen of saw fish. Head of llama.
Antelope horns, Five pairs of small ditto. Ostrich's
's eggs. Specimens of
snakes and lizards, in spirits. Locust, scorpion, and other insects, in spirits.
Large shark's jaw. Skin of boa constrictor. Cast of face of Napoleon, taken
after death. Casts of Dalton, Lord Brougham, and Agassiz.

The Rev. E. H. SLADEN:-"On the Shoulder-Girdle, and Sternum in the
Vertebrata," by W. K. Parker-Ray Soc., 1 vol. fol., 1868.
Works of Robert Brown-Ray Soc, 2 vols., 8vo., 1866—1867.
6 vols., 8vo.

Botanical "The Ibex,"

THOMAS BRUGES FLOWER, Esq. :-Two ancient maps of the city of Bath. The Rev. J. WILKINSON, Broughton Gifford :-Ten pamphlets on archæological subjects. Two Acts of Parliament relating to Wiltshire.

The Rev. Canon GREENWELL :-Notices of ancient Grave hills in Yorkshire, 8vo. Transactions, Journals, &c., have been received from the Essex Archæological

Society, 2 Nos. Kilkenny and South East of Ireland Archæological Society, 2 Nos. Somersetshire Archæological and Natural History Society, 1 vol. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 3 parts.

H. BULL, Printer and Publisher, Devizes.

Wiltshire Archæological and Natural History Society.

Abstract of Account of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Society for one year, from the 1st January, 1867, to 31st December, 1867 (both inclusive).