210 



considerable and perfect luxuriance, and even Parmclia perlata—G (a lichen 

 commonly confined to trees) to obtain a secure and permanent foot-hold. Who 

 can tell how many more thousands of years must pass away before the worked 

 surface of the flint, which dates from pre-historic times, will be in a condition 

 ready to receive the parasites luxuriating on the fragment of the far more ancient 

 original crust ? It may be asked how is it known that this fragment of flint was 

 worked by man in times dating back to extreme antiquity? The reasons are 

 several :— 1. Rude implements of similar form are still made by the Esquimaux. 

 2. Worked flints show the spot where the blow was administered which struck off 

 the flake, as at H. 3. The flakes display a conchoidal curve with a bulb of per- 

 cussion on the plain face, as at J. 4. They are, as a rule, trimmed or worked on 

 one side only, and, 5, each facet of the face shows a depression (as at K) which 

 corresponds with the bulb of percussion present on each secondary flake which has 

 been struck off. Geologists and evolutionists are always asking for time, they are 

 always stating that the time of the historical period has not been sufficient for 

 bringing about changes of any magnitude. In the Sussex Downs flint we then have 

 an instance of how "geological time " is sufficient to produce a surface on a flint, 

 suitable for the growth of one of the most humble of plants, whilst time dating 

 from remote pre-historic periods is quite unequal to any such result. 



FUNGUS FORAY, 1879. 

 For a full report of the fungi found during the foray, see " Grevillea," 

 Vol, 8, pages 73 and 109. 



