234 EXCAVATIONS AT ICAUMBttttY RINGS. 



prehistoric shaft, presumably of Neolithic date and of the 

 character of the great pit found last year, was traced along its 

 southern side. In removing the filling (chalk rubble) to a depth 

 of 1 1 '4ft. from the surface, no less than four implements of red- 

 deer antler were found, all within an area represented by a 

 length of 5* 5ft. There were two picks and two worked antlers 

 which may have been used as levers or wedges. All show signs 

 of considerable use, and two bear evidence of fire. 



These pits appeared to be connected by a ledge of solid chalk. 

 They await future examination, being on the margin of this 

 season's work. 



VIII. ANIMAL REMAINS AND SHELLS. 



As last year Mr. E. T. Newton, F.R.S., has kindly examined 

 some of the animal remains collected from important positions 

 in the excavations. The following animals were represented : 

 Ox (? Bos longifrons], sheep or goat, red-deer (Cerz'us elaphus), 

 deer of a smaller form, pig (Sus scrofd], horse ? (small, may be 

 pony or donkey), dog (Cam's familiaris), and fox (Cam's 

 vulpes). 



Messrs. John W. Taylor and W. Denison Roebuck, of Leeds, 

 have kindly examined the shells found at Maumbury this season. 

 There are seven species. One, the common cockle (Cardium 

 edule), is marine. The others are land mollusca of species now 

 living plentifully in the district. Helicella tiala, of which there 

 are numerous examples, abounds on dry grassy fields on the 

 chalk. The other five are what may be considered as forms 

 frequenting the vicinity -of human habitations. The largest is 

 Helix aspersa in four varietal forms, and it is interesting to note 

 how well some of them have preserved in part their original 

 appearance. So with the numerous examples of H. nemoralis, 

 some of which show faint traces of the yellow ground colour. 

 Two examples of the closely-allied H. hortensis are included, and 

 a great many of Hygromia hispida, of a remarkably small size and 

 flat, narrowly-umbilicated and probably nearly hairless form, this 



