THE PROBLEM OF LYNCHETS. »3 



But a bleaching that Nature could not accomplish in 60 years, 

 she might perhaps have been able to achieve in 600 years ; and 

 in that case the Osmington lynchet may be regarded as con- 

 forming to the requirements of Diagram D, and the unusual 

 inward dip may be due to an ancient excavation from the inner 

 margin of chalk that was thrown along the outer edge of a 

 natural lynchet, in order to widen it for cultural purposes that 

 were soon relinquished. 



22. Other lynchets on chalk hillsides near Winterborne Abbas 

 are shown by Diagram L. 



Jhz <£cULt7l6 



By the great depth, 13 feet and 21 feet, of the lower banks 

 and by their steepness, which approaches and even exceeds the 

 angle of repose, a presumption is raised of their artificial origin. 

 Perhaps it may yet be possible to ascertain by section whether a 

 natural chalk lynchet lies beneath them. Meanwhile, a map of 

 the year 1839 in the possession of the Rector reveals the fact 

 that they represent the individuals of a village community 

 whose very names are preserved. 



These lynchets, therefore, having no retaining wall of stone or 

 flints, should answer to the theory of Scrope and to Diagram A. 

 It would appear, however, that, when the earth moved by the 

 ploughman accumulated along the balk to such an extent that it 



