3i8 Mr. R. C. Taylor 07i the Geology of East Norfolk. 



same valley at Hoxne and also at Eye. Vertebrse occur in 

 another branch near Botesdale, and in some valleys on the 

 eastern coast of Suffolk. 



The gravel of the Bure valley has furnished many animal 

 remains, as also have the banks of the Wensum. Mr. Par- 

 kinson long ago observed that this district supplied a greater 

 abundance of fossil bones of deer than any other part of this 

 kingdom. 



But the most considerable discovery was very recently made, 

 in a valley near North Walsham, in the process of digging an 

 extension of the Dilham Canal. These specimens have, by 

 permission of the Canal Company, been deposited in the Nor- 

 wich Museum. They consist of horns of two species of deer, 

 and skulls apparently of the fossil auroch or bison, and of the 

 common ox. 



It will be observed, that the localities which are here re- 

 cited, are all within the limits which may be assigned to the 

 Crag ; and it must be added that in frequent instances they 

 are accompanied by decided traces of that formation. Al- 

 though they ai'e comparatively remote from the sea, their 

 sites are not more than 40 to 80 feet above its level. The an- 

 cient stone axes and other implements found in the peat of 

 the Waveney valley, denote its alluvial covering *. Some of the 



bones 



* The Waveney valley has exhibited traces of the early occupants of 

 this district in greater abundance, and more generally distributed, than 

 any other portion of East Anglia. From Garianonum even to Thetfbrd 

 (the ancient Sitomagus), coins, medals, urns, and other reliques of Roman 

 origin, have been found at numerous points ; indeed in almost every pa- 

 rish bordering upon this valley, — indicating it to he a favourite position with 

 that people. Many local circumstances concur to render the occupation 

 of this valley desirable to the adventurers of various nations, who from time 

 to time penetrated into the interior, through one or other of the chan- 

 nels of the Garienis. At Thetford, and at several points near the upper 

 part of the Waveney, Celtic and Scandinavian remains of military weapons 

 have been discovered. Flint axes and copper celts have been found in the 

 neighbouring parishes of Roydon, Diss, Scoie, and Hoxne. The stone axes 

 appear to be similar in form to those to which the original Teutonic ap- 

 pellation of Slaimborts or Steinbartes is given by Dr. Hibbert, occurring in 

 Orkney and Shetland. 



They have also been met with in the vicinity of the Huniber, near the 

 confluence of the Trent and the Ouse, being probably brought hither by the 

 Saxon and Scandinavian pirates that from the earliest period infested the 

 shores of this country. A comparison of the forms of these ancient wea- 

 pons, the substances of which they are constructed, and the circumstances 

 under which they are discovered, aided by the scanty historical materials 

 hitherto collected, is necessary to determine their origin with any degree 

 of precision. This is a task which, I believe, antiquaries have not hitherto 

 attempted. The copper instruments of war are observed chiefly in those 

 districts which were occupied by Celtic tribes. As regards the stone axes, 

 the authority alluded to, states, that in whatever country of Europe wea- 

 pons 



