A FLINT FLAKE AND LIS STORY. 



[By W. G. Sm-ni— Gardener's Chronicle, May 4th, 1878.] 



The flint flake illustrated above was picked up a week or two ago by the writer on 

 the Sussex downs near Eastl^ourne. Similar flakes of flint are far from uncommon 

 at the place mentioned, and they are to be found in certain positions all over 

 Britain, and jirobably indeed over the entire world. Flints which have naturally 

 burst or become splintered in their original matrix of chalk, or have been broken 

 for roadmaking by the roadside, are to be seen almost everywhere, but the worked 

 flint illustrated— a scraper— differs from these, inasmuch as it was carefully worked 

 into shape by human hands some thousands of years ago, and probably before 

 metals were known in this country. Mr. Evans has computed that the more 

 recent of these instruments of stone were made 1,000 or 1,200 years B.C., and 

 continues: "How much further back their use might be carried it is impossible 

 to say." 



The flint illustrated was without doubt worked into shape on the spot where 

 it was found, as it was picked up on a known British Camp, and was in company 



