54 Mr. Henry Walker's Lecture : 



usual, we find, in these Saturday afternoon outings) by 

 funny stories — by such stories as hunting naturalists, above 

 all people, seem to love to tell of each other. 



Here, on the London Eoad, just beyond Ilford, is our 

 destination. The game seems to have been driven in at 

 this spot, and surrounded by the hunters, like the shaggy 

 victims of a Norwegian bear-skall, or an Indian elephant- 

 corral. Let us hasten to the spot. 



The area to which we are now converging appears to be 

 partly surrounded by a batten fence. The scouts of our 

 party are peering over the pointed staves, and trying to 

 look down into some deep excavation below, as if into a den 

 of wild beasts. Sir Antonio, our leader, with reassuring 

 look, bids us come down without fear into the pit. At 

 length it would seem we are now to be initiated in the 

 mysteries of elephant-hunting in Essex. True, no tame 

 elephants trained for the chase are yet to be seen, or 

 swarthy Eastern riders imported for the day. But let us 

 be patient. A more wonderful venerie than that which is 

 learnt in the jungles of Lidia is now to be taught us. We 

 will let Sir Antonio speak for himself. 



This London-road pit, like the Uphall brick-field on the 

 Barking-road, yields to the labourers who work in the 

 ground the bones and teeth of elephant, rhinoceros, and 

 deer. The veritable gates of Hades, leading to a realm 

 of huge old-world forms that once stalked abroad in the 

 upper air in these forests of Essex around us, are these 

 pits in the beds of the ancient Thames Valley. The 

 marvellous story of the finding of these fossil animals, ages 

 after they ceased to exist, and the almost equally mar- 

 vellous story of the manner in which their almost perished 

 remains are restored, as we see them in public museums 

 to-day, is now related to us in a round unvarnished tale. 



As soon as the labourer in the Ilford pits, with pick and 

 shovel and well-trained eye, discovers the signs of organic 

 remains, a messenger is sent to Sir Antonio Brady. Sir 

 Antonio arrives with a skilful assistant, and the work of 

 uncovering the embedded prize is commenced. But the 

 treasure, be it cranium, thigh-bone, or tusk, threatens 



