Note 50 — Chapter III · Prehistoric Monuments; and their Superstitions.

The name of “Pouquelaie” given in various districts of Normandy, and in the Anglo-Norman Isles to megalithic monuments appears to be composed of two Celtic words, of which the latter, the Breton lee-h or lêh means a flat stone. The former of these words—pouque, some etymologists say is derived from a Celtic word meaning, To kiss, or adore—and thus “Pouquelaie”—the stone we adore; but many others think with equal probability that Pouque is derived from the same root from whence we get Puck, the mad sprite Shakespeare has so well described in his “Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.” The pixies, or Cornish and Devonshire fairies, and the Phooka, or goblin of the Irish, are evidently of the same family.