XXXVI. 



Oolite of Sherborne ; also a specimen of Icthyosaurus tenuirostris, lately 

 bought. In the antiquarian department Mr. E. Cunnington had added to 

 his already fine collection two groups found in a secondary and tertiary 

 interment in a barrow on Ridgeway Hill. Other presentations or loans 

 had been made by Mr. Hogg, Mr. Pearce Edgcumbe, Mr. Montague Guest, 

 and others. Mr. Udal had presented a carefully arranged collection of 

 48 Dorset tokens. The Rev. Nigel Gresley had lent a most interesting and 

 beautifully decorated Queen Elizabeth's virginal. Attention was finally 

 called to the ignorance displayed by workmen and labourers in destroying 

 many valuable relics of antiquity through carelessness. 



Mr. Cunnington read a paper entitled "Recovered Dorset History," 

 giving an outline of the changes in the physical features and climate which 

 have modified the character of the county from Liassic times, but specially 

 dealing with Palaeolithic and Neolithic man. The author stated that he 

 obtained the earliest specimens of the works of man from the Broom 

 ballast pit near Chardstock, represented by the stone hatchet and spear 

 heads now in a case in the Museum. Similar specimens had been found in 

 the banks of the River Stour, near Blandford, resembling those found by 

 Professor Prestwich near Amiens. The changes in the physical features of 

 the neighbourhood were touched upon. The fissure in the chalk 

 escarpment, upwards of 100 feet in depth, had been occupied by the river, 

 which commenced forming its great deposit. The Celtic earthworks of the 

 county differed in character according to their date of construction ; the 

 earliest, which were cone-shaped, were easily appropriated, and might be 

 afterwards strengthened by vallums and ditches. Such 'were Milborne, 

 Badbury Rings, Dogbury Camp, near Minterne, Shipton Beacon, and one 

 in Frampton Park. A late Celtic camp is represented by Poundbury. 

 Camps of the Roman period generally occupied commanding positions, 

 apparently along a northern line of march. The author dissented from the 

 opinion that Roman camps were always square, but were suited to the 

 position and shape of the ground they occupied. There was good reason 

 to believe the Romans landed at Preston, near Weymouth. There are 

 still the remains of a pile landing stage ; they encamped on Jordan Hill, 

 and, having conquered the tribes in the neighbourhood, advanced to Maiden 

 Castle, where immense labour was expended in fortifying the position, 

 the occupancy having lasted for 300 years, as shown by the coins 

 discovered there. Thence they extended to Aggerdon, Woodbury Hill 

 probably, and Dungeon, Hamilton, Hod Hill, and Cadbury Castle. 



The Treasurer (the Rev. 0, P. Cambridge) read a paper giving an 

 account of the effects of a flash of lightning on some trees in his own 

 parish of Bloxworth, which occurred at three p.m. on the 9th of April 



