46 HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS’ CLUB. 
gravels have been fully described by Dr. F. F. Walton, F.G.s., in 
the “Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic 
Society” for 1894,* and in the first two volumes of the 
“Transactions of the Hull Geological Society.”+ The difficulty 
is to decide whether the gravels are really pre-glacial or not. 
They are certainly covered by a bed of boulder-clay, a true 
glacial deposit, but this particular clay is looked upon by 
glacialists as the uppermost of the three beds of boulder-clay 
which are found in East Yorkshire. Consequently it is possible 
that the Hessle gravels are only older than the top bed of 
boulder-clay, and newer than the lower boulder-clay. At present 
however, there is no direct evidence either way. 
Let us examine the contained mammalian remains and see if 
they will help us. There can be little doubt the various animals 
died very near the place, if not on the very spot, at which their 
remains are found. The bones do not exhibit the slightest traces 
of having been rolled about or of having been waterworn. In 
one or two instances it is thought they bear signs of having been 
gnawed, probably by a hyzena or other carnivore. Some of the 
bones were certainly broken before being entombed in the gravel. 
Taking all things into consideration, it is reasonable to look upon 
them as of the same age as the gravel, and not as having been 
derived from pre-existing deposits. The angular condition of the 
gravel itself also favours this view. 
Since Dr. Walton’s notes, already referred to, were written, 
other specimens have been found. These, together with all the 
bones previously obtained, I recently sent to Mr. E. T. Newton, 
F.R.S., Palzeontologist to the Geological Survey, London. Mr. 
Newton has recognised some species amongst the remains of 
which we were in ignorance previous to his examination. He 
does not recognize any bones of Bos. The name of this animal 
will therefore have to be struck from previous lists. The amended 
list now stands as follows : 
Equus caballus, 
Cervus elaphus, 
Cervus sp. ? 
Elephas sp. ? 
Rhinoceros sp.? 
Flyena? (Indicated by doubtful gnawings 
only.) 
This fauna is such as might be expected either in a glacial or 
pre-glacial deposit. We are consequently still left in the dark as 
to the precise age of the Hessle beds. 
* «Some New Sections in the Hessle Gravels,” pp. 396-406. 
+ 1893-4 and 1894-5. 
