164 LARGE BOULDER FOUND AT BRANKSOME. 



into a true quartzite, sometimes imperfectly silicified, and 

 sometimes the sand and the gravel are not silicified at all, 

 but quite loose, and these three stages occur almost in juxta- 

 position." 



Apart from microscopic examination, the only kind of 

 investigation possible was minute examination of the surface 

 of the stone. This surface was clearly water- worn, which 

 is not the case with ordinary sarsens. Then some of the 

 convex curves strongly suggest glaciation. There are other 

 marks which may represent groovings due to ice-action and 

 deserve further investigation ; but, unfortunately, no in- 

 considerable portion of the surface has been broken by the 

 chipping of too curious investigators. Among the marks 

 on the surface are two cup-shaped depressions resembling, 

 on a small scale, the " glacier-mills " bored in hard rock 

 by the whirling round of stones in an eddy under ice. In 

 this connection we may compare a stone lately found at 

 Pokesdown, and in the possession of Mr. Chambers. This 

 has several similar depressions from one to four inches deep, 

 and one hole 15in. long, bored right through the stone. 

 This stone weighs about 1201b., and is 18in. long, with a 

 width of 12in. and a depth of 9in. It was discovered 

 near the present surface of the ground. A fine-grained, 

 light-coloured boulder, probably a sarsen, weighing 4 or 5 cwt., 

 was dug out some few years ago from the nursery-garden of 

 Mr. White, on the southern slope of Constitution Hill, Park- 

 stone. It may be seen now near a gate-post. 



Another very large stone, weighing, I believe, about 

 five tons, was discovered some years ago near Winchester. 

 Another large stone, weighing about half a ton, may be seen 

 by the side of the road in Burgess Street, at the top of 

 Southampton Common. 



As isolated facts, these tell us little. But if a complete 

 record can be made of similar stones found in the South of 

 England, and especially of the strata in which they occur, a 

 good deal may be learned therefrom. It is as a contribution 

 to such a record that the present note is offered. 



