132 BRIXHAM CAVE. [l859. 



certainly that part of the materials of the Thames valley gravel 

 is derived from the Boulder Clay, or from a led of gravel imme- 

 diately preceding it that the Cyrena lived with the Mammoth, 

 and that the E. antiquus is not confined to the age of the Bacton 

 Beds. As to the gravel under the Cyrena -bed at Clapton, it 

 contains, I think, almost all the specimens we saw at Victoria 

 Park. Ten years since, I daresay I should have given you more 

 definite answers ; but the more I see of the subject, the more I 

 feel involved in its complications. I see some objections to 

 almost every position. . . . Believe me to be very truly yours, 



J. PRESTWICH. 



J. Prestwich to H. Falconer. 2nd July 1859. 



MY DEAR FALCONER, . . . The points for your inspection 

 are in the first two papers. About the Brixham Cave, have 

 I rightly expressed myself about the Eeport to the Geological 

 Society, or shall I mention it in any other way ? That to you 

 the discovery is due is certain, inasmuch as the cave was started 

 by you and worked in your way; that the weight of your 

 opinion also led us all to consider the matter more serious, 

 and seriously, is also certain. So you are the head and front 

 of the cave, and the leader of this new inquiry, and as such 

 you must allow me to place you. Will you therefore kindly 

 look to these two pages and make such additions, alterations, 

 &c., as you think fit? . . . 



I am not sure now that I have said all that I want; but 

 these letters coming in the hours of business, and on a busy 

 Saturday, leave me but little time for consideration. Pray, 

 however, consider me always, &c., J. PRESTWICH. 



J. Prestwich to Sir Charles Lyell. 



2 SUFFOLK LANE, 6th July 1859. 



MY DEAR SIR CHARLES, You have planned a charming ex- 

 cursion, and I wish I could meet you at Amiens or Rouen ; but 

 I doubt whether I shall be able. I shall probably return there 

 later. At present the levels of the different pits are being 

 accurately taken. For these I shall, I believe, be indebted 

 to the Government engineers. Nothing can be done at present 

 in collecting shells at Menchecourt, as the sands in which they 



