There is a fanciful legend, told by an old writer called Geoffrey of Monmouth, about Stonehenge. He says that Ambrosius, wishing to commemorate those who had fallen in battle, thought fit to send for Merlin the Wizard, to consult him on the proper monument to be erected to the memory of the slain. On being interrogated Merlin replied, “Send for the ‘Giants’ Dance,’ which is in Killarus (Kildare), a mountain in Ireland; they are stones of a vast magnitude, and if they can be placed here quite round this spot of ground they will stand _for ever_.” At these words Aurelius laughed and said, “How was it possible to remove such stones from so distant a country, and had not Britain as good stones?” Merlin replied “that they were mystical stones and had a medicinal virtue,” whereupon the Britons resolved to send for them and to risk a battle. Upon landing in Ireland, the removal of the stones was violently opposed by Gillomanius, a youth of wonderful valour. At the head of a vast army, he exclaimed, “While I have life they shall not take from us the least stone of the Giants’ Dance.” A battle ensued, which was won by the Britons. They then proceeded to Killarus, where the sight of the stones filled them with joy and admiration, and, while they were all standing round, Merlin asked them to try and remove the stones. Their efforts proving futile, he laughingly proceeded with his own contrivances, and took down the stones with incredible facility. This done, they set sail to Britain, and repaired to the burial-place with the stones, Aurelius ordering Merlin to get them up in the same manner as they had been in the mountain of Killarus, which he accordingly did.