> unusual straight rods which reminded him of Cleopatra's Needle (Obelisk ... Also, of course, Obelix[1], purveyor of menhirs[2] -- Breton "standing stones".

> unusual straight rods which reminded him of Cleopatra's Needle (Obelisk ... Also, of course, Obelix[1], purveyor of menhirs[2] -- Breton "standing stones". [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelix [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir