IQ5 



sessed tlie power of softening the bard substanceSj such as 

 limestone and sandstone rock in which these shells were 

 often found : the former opinion was, however, most gene- 

 rally received. In the present instance no great power was 

 required, the wood being so soft 'that it could be cut with 

 a spade as easily as the black turf which surrounded 

 it. With respect to the horn, he had at first ex- 

 pressed some doubts as to whether it was the horn of 

 any animal which was a native of this country, and whether 

 it might not have been thrown overboard from some vessel 

 coming from foreign parts. In general it much resembled 

 that of the Wapiti deer. He had, however, now come to 

 the conclusion that it was the horn of the red deer of this 

 country, Cervus elaphus ; that it belonged to an animal 

 between six and ten years old, and from its brittle, semi- 

 fossil state, in all probability had existed contemporaneouslv 

 with the forest. 



The interest and enjoyment were sustained through- 

 out the day, and the most laudable anxiety was shown 

 by every one to contribute what he could. Many valua- 

 ble remarks were made casually, which unfortunately 

 cannot be recalled, or which, if they could be recorded, 

 were so much common property that they could not be 

 identified. Nor should it be forgotten that the fertile 

 genius of the artist suggested numerous subjects to occupy 

 his pencil ; while another, who was somewhat of an amateur 

 in antiquarian lore, enriched his note book with curious 

 inscriptions from the ancient churches of Bidston and 

 Wallasey. Those again avIio were less " apt to teach," 

 than to learn, assisted in procuring specimens, and one in 

 his own department readily consented to record the facts 

 and results. In doing so he lays claim to nothing but the 

 accuracy of a conscientious reporter ; and he looks for- 

 ward, with pleasing anticipations, to the next opportunity 

 p 



