Note 78 — MISCELLANEOUS FOLK-LORE.
Reading edition
Dr. Borlase's argument is cumulative. He observes that rock basins are always on the top, never on the sides of the stones; that the ancients sacrificed on rocks; that water was used by them for lustration and purification; that snow, rain, or dew, was preferred by them to running water; that it was not permitted to touch the earth; that the Druids practised similar rites, and held rain or snow-water to be holy; and they attributed a healing virtue to the gods inhabiting rocks; that their priests stood upon rocks to wash, sprinkle, and drink, &c. All these considerations, he conceives, favour his opinion that rock basins were used, if not formed, by the Druids.