50" PAPERS, ETC. 



similar in form to those used in the present day by VV"elsh 

 fishermen, in the management of the coracle ; and, also a 

 very large canoe formed from an immense oak, which had 

 been preserved by the peculiar antiseptic propertles of the 

 peat, and which was known to the turf-cutters as " Squire 

 Phippen's big ship." 



These facts clearly point to a time when the eastern side 

 of the Poldon hüls was washed by the waters of a large 

 navigable lake, if not an arm of the sea ; and judging from 

 the similarity of position, and the occurrence of somewhat 

 similar remains, there can be no doubt but that a lake, or 

 festuary likewise existed, at that time, to the west of the 

 Poldon hüls, reaching towards Langport. 



The trunks and branches of trees ; the horns of the 

 forest deer ; the bones of the ox and horse, have been 

 found at considerable depths in the clay-pits, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Bridgvvater. At the old canal basin at 

 Huntworth, animal remains, and even pottery were found 

 mixed with sand, nearly 30 feet beneath the surface.* 



In the collection of the late Mr. Baker, there is a 

 curious brass holt which was found in one of the clay-pits; 

 and in the possession of John Browne, Esq., there is an 

 interesting specimen of the gold ring-money, which was 

 dug up at a considerable depth in the süt-deposit. These, 

 with the remains of pottery, are a clear proof that the 

 deposit of the alluvial flats in the district is comparatively 

 recent ; and that when the plains west of the Poldon hüls 

 constituted the bed of an ajstuary, the adjoining shores 

 were inhabited by a race of men not unacquainted with the 

 arts, nor strangers to the use and value of the precious 

 metals. 



Those who had an opportunity of witnessing the great 



* Proc. of Society, 1849-50, p. 137. 



