NOTES ON A LARGE PAIR OF ANTLERS OF THE 
RED DEER (Cervus elaphus) FROM THE PEAT AT 
HORNSEA. 
By THomas SHEPPARD. 
The excellent work being done by Mr. William Morfitt, of Atwick, 
and his two energetic sons, is well known to our members, and those 
who had the good fortune to be present at the excursion to Atwick, 
in June last, will not soon forget the extent of the collection of all 
manner of geological specimens gathered together in Charlotte’s 
Cottage, all of which have been obtained from the cliffs and 
beach of the immediate vicinity. This fact makes the collection 
all the more interesting and valuable. 
The object of these notes is to put on record details of the 
finest pair of deer antlers that, so far as I am aware, has ever been 
obtained from this part of the country. They were discovered by 
Mr. Morfitt’s sons—Aaron and Beaumont—last winter, whilst 
paying their regular visit to Hornsea. The tide being low, the 
bed of peat exposed on the beach, just north of the pier, at about 
150 yards from the cliffs, was visible. This was examined, and 
the point of one tine was noticed projecting from the peat. Our 
friends naturally at once set to work, and before long it was evident 
that a specimen of no mean dimensions had been found. With 
some difficulty the antlers were removed, though, unfortunately, 
their soft condition, through having been buried so long in the 
damp peat, made it impossible to remove them without breaking. 
The skull, which was also present, was particularly difficult to deal 
with, and came to pieces on being removed. ‘The exact locality 
being carefully noted, further search was made on a subsequent 
occasion, and now, in addition to the skull and antlers, seven 
vertebree (including the atlas and axis), some ribs, and a few other 
bones have been secured. The peat from which they were 
obtained is about fourteen feet below the top of the present cliff. 
The care that has been taken in putting the numerous pieces 
together is characteristic of Messrs. Morfitt, and the greatest credit 
is due to them. The specimen is now mounted, and a magnifi- 
cent pair of antlers, attached to the skull, with the lower jaw and 
and all complete, is the result. 
The following measurements will give some idea of the size of 
the specimen, an excellent photograph of which, kindly taken by 
