JET. 61-62.] COLONEL E. B. WOOD. 247 



water, has been proved at Whitehaven and Mons. But, 

 on the other hand, the depth of these old rocks below 

 the surface is very great, and they are much more dense 

 and harder than the overlying formations." 



The following letter, in acknowledgment of a copy 

 of the Brixham Cave Report, from Colonel Wood of 

 Stouthall, himself the explorer of so many caves, reveals 

 his affection for the lamented Hugh Falconer : 



Colonel JE. R. Wood to J. Prestwich. 



STOUTHALL, SWANSEA, 23rd March 1874. 



MY DEAR MR PRESTWICH, I hasten to thank you for having 

 kindly sent ine your Eeport on the Brixham Cave. I shall 

 peruse it with very great pleasure. The descriptive arrangement 

 is admirable, and detail clear and intelligible. 



My interest in this branch of geology is not keen now ; indeed 

 I almost felt a distaste for the subject after the death of my dear 

 friend Hugh Falconer : he was so associated with the pleasures 

 which I experienced in the pursuit of the subject, and so en- 

 couraged and assisted me by his kind instructions, that when 

 he was taken from us I found a void which I have never 

 been able to overcome. Our acquaintance was but a short one, 

 but he had greatly endeared himself to me, and I loved him 

 sincerely. 



I send you a flint implement for your collection, but I am 

 sorry to say that it tells no tale. It was picked up by a work- 

 man on the coast near Long Hole, when engaged in cutting a 

 pathway for bringing the debris of a wreck to the top of the 

 cliff. It seems to me a capital typical specimen of its kind, 

 very perfect in its proportions for so small a flint. 



Mrs Wood desires me to send her best love to Mrs Prestwich, 

 to whom also I offer my best regards. With our united kind 

 regards to you, believe me, always yours sincerely, 



E. E. WOOD. 



Instead of accompanying a party abroad in the 

 following Easter, Prestwich turned his steps north- 



