266 NATURAL SCIENCE. April. 1894. 



bridge the gap between Palaeolithic and Neolithic implements. It 

 has usually been considered characteristic of Palaeolithic implements 

 that they were used on the point as thrusting tools, and that the 

 broad cutting edge was an essentially Neolithic feature. But in this 

 implement there is a soft spot near the point, and through this a hole 

 has been somewhat irregularly drilled. A point intended for use 

 would hardly have been so weakened ; the hole, however, might have 

 served to fasten the flint into a haft of some kind, thus leaving 

 the broad end for a cutting edge, as in Neolithic weapons. 



These indefatigable labours of Harrison have thus established the- 

 existence in the neighbourhood of five distinct stone periods, although 

 not necessarily separated by a great hiatus, each characterised by 

 special groups of implements. They are as follows : — (a) The usual 

 neoliths on the surface ; (b) The superior late palaeoliths of the Rock- 

 shelter or Cave-men ; (c) The ordinary river drift types of existing valleys 

 and watersheds ; (d) The Hill group, above existing watersheds ; and (e) 

 The Plateau group which antedate the present structure of the Weald. 

 Of course, it is only natural to expect to find the implements of all the 

 later periods in various positions in the valleys of the plateau. One 

 thing, however, of extreme importance remains, and that is, that there 

 are large tracts of plateau drift from which all traces of deposits of 

 Palaeolithic age have been entirely removed, if indeed they ever existed 

 on them; and in these patches the old Plateau forms are found, to the 

 total exclusion of the Palaeolithic types, although the most diligent 

 search has been made for the latter, both by Mr. Harrison and other 

 workers. This disposes of the weightiest argument against the 

 separation of the two races, namely, the idea that the old rude Plateau 

 specimens were the rough work of Palaeolithic man dropped upon the 

 surface. It is greatly to be regretted that the necessary funds are not 

 forthcoming to carry out a thorough system of excavations upon the 

 plateau, and to trace the relations of this drift to the undoubted 

 Pliocene beds of the neighbourhood, which we are quite sure wouldi 

 confirm Mr. Harrison's discoveries. 



W. J. Lewis Abbott. 



