TURBARIES. 49 
what was then known as the island of Avalon. 
I shall however endeavour to prove, by the few 
discoveries I have made, that it was at a most dis- 
tant era that the sea was confined to its present 
bounds, and that it was not effected at the time the 
Romans are supposed to have undertaken that vast 
work, of embanking the river Parret, from its mouth 
to beyond Borough-bridge, in order to reclaim and 
protect all the fine land on either side, as far as what 
was then the island of Athelney. 
Occasionally from particular causes, such perhaps 
as earthquakes abroad, the embankments known as 
the sand-tots have given way, and it is recorded 
that in the year 1606 especially, the floods were so 
great, that the inhabitants of Glastonbury “feared a 
watery grave.” I consider it the duty of every 
member of such a society as ours is, especially 
before it is firmly established, if he has made any 
part of the county his particular study, freely to 
give his opinion, in order that those who are more 
learned, may have an opportunity of either contra- 
dieting any particular theory, or adding information 
on the subject. 
I cannot believe but that it was the work of the 
Almighty, and not that of the hands of man, when 
the sea was recalled from Avalon to its present 
boundaries. We know not the time when the 
Mendip hills were lifted by the force of fire and 
water, and so shaken to their foundations as to 
cause that stupendous chasm, known as ee 
