182 MOULIN QUIGNON. [1863. 



We were, however, both at once struck with the peculiar form 

 of all the flint implements, with the sharpness of their angles, 

 and with their peculiar soiling. We, however, reserved our 

 opinion and went to look at the pit. Unfortunately a fall of 

 the gravel had taken place, and the section was covered up so 

 that we could only see one end of it. That there was a black 

 band was evident, and one fact struck me in favour of the 

 probable authenticity of the specimens, which was, that hereto- 

 fore all the specimens of the flint implements had been obtained 

 from the ochreous gravel, and it seemed to me that if ignorant 

 workmen wished to imitate the real specimens, they would 

 rather have adopted the usual matrix than have sought one 

 which was exceptional. As we were walking to St Gilles from 

 Moulin Quignon, one of the men took two specimens from his 

 pocket and gave them to me. These were both from an ochreous 

 or ferruginous matrix, and it seemed at once evident to us that 

 they were both false. I therefore took the opportunity to wash 

 one at the first cottage we came to. All the soil came off im- 

 mediately, and left the flint quite fresh and clean and sharp. 

 This further evidence satisfied us both then that some imposition 

 was practised, and immediately we got back to Abbeville I at 

 once told M. Boucher de Perthes of our doubts and suspicions 

 about the workmen. He did not see it in the same light that 

 we did, even after he had himself washed one of the specimens. 

 We were unable to stop longer to follow up the inquiry, and I 

 only much regret that M. de Perthes did not mention in a 

 sufficiently pointed manner our doubts to Dr Falconer and M. 

 Quatrefages, as it might have led to a stricter examination of the 

 flints on the spot and more reserve on the part of my friend. It 

 was only in fact after washing and close inspection that the 

 nature either of the jaw or of the flints could be determined. 

 They were all so much soiled, and that seemingly with intent. 

 The reasons why I doubt the genuineness of the flints are these : 



1. Their shape upon a type different (only slightly) from all 

 others previously found at Abbeville or Amiens. 



2. The sharpness of all their angles, whereas all the specimens 

 I had previously seen from Moulin Quignon showed more wear 

 than the specimens from any other locality except La Porte 

 Mercade. 



