194 PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 1903 
can see, this hypothesis would explain all the phenomena; 
but its initial difficulties are very great, and I prefer to 
wait for more evidence. Meanwhile, I venture to hope 
that the argument I have brought before you to-day may 
do a little to clear the way for those who come after me. 
In conclusion, I would congratulate the Club on the 
activity shown by its former members in the branch of 
science I have been discussing. I refer especially to the 
paper by Mr Lucy, read before the Club in 1869. Itisa 
very valuable account of painstaking and careful work. 
We may not be able to accept all his conclusions ; but we 
must be grateful to him for placing upon record important 
sections, which are now hopelessly overgrown and lost. 
I would also venture to remark that the gravels of the 
lower Severn valley supply a field of work from which 
rich harvests may yet be reaped. Our humble gravel-pits, 
if carefully searched, may yield to us materials for new 
and important chapters in the history of the world and 
man. 
