XX. 



Mr. Wallis exhibited a bottle containing some of the corn which had been 

 so discovered. Dr. Watts said at Grays, in Essex, was a wood in which 

 were hundreds of these holes, of which most had been filled up, but some 

 had been kept open. These holes were 80 to 100 feet deep, sunk through 

 the sand into the chalk beneath. These holes grew narrower as they 

 descended, and at the bottom were four curious chambers of a rose 

 pattern. They had been most carefully examined, and the earth around 

 sifted, but nothing had been found to determine their use ; the surround- 

 ings, however, led to the conclusion that the spot originally formed an 

 ancient village and that these holes were the storehouses of families for 

 preserving their food for long periods, and against the attacks of enemies. 

 Some of the famous stone quarries close by were then inspected, where 

 several specimens of trees (conifers) and cycads were exhibited. The 

 President here read a paper, which had been prepared by Mr. A. M. 

 Wallis, on the subject of the economic value of the various beds of 

 Portland stone, the mode of quarrying in vogue, and an historical account 

 of quarrymen's rights in Portland. This paper will be found in full at 

 p. 187 of this volume. 



After a cordial vote of thanks had been given to Mr. Wallis for his 

 valuable paper, a start was made for Pennsylvania Castle. The route 

 lay along the top of the cliffs, from which a grand view was obtained, the 

 cuttings of the new Church Hope Railway, now in course of construction, 

 were passed, and soon after, the party was met by Mr. Merrick Head (the 

 owner of Pennsylvania Castle), who conducted them inside the grounds, 

 and gave them a most cordial welcome. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. 

 Merrick Head entertained the whole party at luncheon in a marquee, 

 which had been erected for the purpose in the garden. After luncheon 

 the President returned thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Merrick Head, on 

 behalf of the company, for the hospitality which they had received. 

 He said he was old enough to recollect when Governor Penn used 

 to cross the ferry, where there is now a bridge, in a carriage 

 and four. In Portland, those who are not natives are called "Kim- 

 berlins," and no " Kimberlin " is deemed a true Portlander, but he 

 felt certain from the enthusiastic way in which Mr. Merrick Head 

 advocated the interests of the people of Portland at the County 

 Council and elsewhere, although not a native, he is not considered a 

 Kimberlin. 



After luncheon, the members proceeded to the ruins of the old church ; 

 where Mr. Merrick Head read a very excellent paper on the history of 

 the Castle, the Churchj the Vicar's House, and Tithes. This paper will be 

 found in full at p. 115 of the present volume. 



