126 FLINT IMPLEMENTS. [1859. 



workmanship, and pointing out their undoubted geo- 

 logical position. We quote one or two passages from 

 the abstract of this paper : 



At Abbeville the author was much struck with the extent of 

 M. Boucher de Perthes' collection. There were many forms of 

 flints, in which he, however, failed to see traces of design and 

 work, and which he should only consider as accidental ; but with 

 regard to those flint-instruments termed " axes " (haches) by M. 

 de Perthes, he entertains not the slightest doubt of their artificial 

 make. They are of two forms, generally from 4 to 10 inches 

 long, . . . and were the work of a people probably unacquainted 

 with the use of metals. The author was not fortunate to find 

 any specimens himself, 1 but from the experience of M. de Perthes, 

 and the evidence of the workmen, as well as from the condition 

 of the specimens themselves, he is fully satisfied of the correctness 

 of that gentleman's opinion, that they there also occur in beds 

 of undisturbed sand and gravel. 2 



With regard to the geological age of these beds, the author 

 refers them to those usually designated Post-Pliocene (Pleisto- 

 cene), and notices their agreement with many beds of that age in 

 England. 



Finally, our geologist stated that he 



Purposely abstained for the present from all theoretical con- 

 siderations, confining himself to the corroboration of the facts : 



1. That the flint implements are the work of man. 



2. That they were found in undisturbed ground. 



3. That they are associated with the remains of extinct 



mammalia. 



1 This only refers to the large worked haches. On his first visit to Menche- 

 court, the day after his arrival at Abbeville, he was fortunate enough to 

 obtain in one excavation he had made to a depth of about 20 feet beneath 

 the surface, several fine flint flakes with large bulbs of percussion in a bed 

 with abundant remains of the mammoth and other extinct mammalia. 



2 Subsequently, Prestwich was summoned by a telegram from Paris, to 

 which he responded by going to St Acheul, and finding an implement in 

 situ. 



