216 PROF. T. M’KENNY HUGHES, M.A. 
teeth, there is no reason why they should not have made holes in 
the shells. That is all, I believe I may say, in finding any fault 
with our friend’s very learned and able discourse, although so very 
short and concise that I really wish he had enlarged upon it 
(hear, hear). I should have liked to have seen some of the pointed 
sticks he mentioned. I had not the opportunity of hearing the 
paper in which he dealt with the wearing down and tapering of 
sticks ; but I dare say he will give us the reference to the paper 
where we may see the description and perhaps the illustrations 
of these. There is a very curious incident (if I am not detaining 
you too long) with regard to such sticks.* There was a group of 
sticks found at Dirnten, in Switzerland, thought to be the remains 
of a basket. These bundles of fir sticks looked very. much like 
interlaced twigs, made and arranged for the purpose of carrying 
things; but it was clearly pointed out that the interlacement was 
accidental, the twigs having fallen one over another, and what 
seemed to be artificial marks where they cross were really the little 
nodes on the fir sticks. You know little twigs of fir have very 
symmetrical buds and nodes. I think that adds to our friend’s 
argument that you must be very cautious indeed in receiving 
evidence. Mr. Skertchley’s old flint implement under boulder clay 
we can also leave in Professor Hughes’ hands; as I dare say we 
might a great deal else. With regard to the geological facts 
referred to by the Admiral, some of them have been very well 
handled by others. I think Dr. Buckland years ago took up some 
arguments explaining the effects of local deluges; and I would 
recommend those people who are interested in knowing about the 
matter to read that interesting chapter in Mr. Belt’s book A Natu- 
ralist in Nicaragua. I do not say it must all be taken as the 
permanent result of investigations, but it is very suggestive and no 
doubt very true so far as his knowledge went. He died before he 
could fully carry out his researches, but in that chapter there is 
much that is interesting, and a foundation is there laid for 
further observation on the effects of deluges not only in Central 
America and the north part of South America, but all over the 
world. 
* See paper on “The Present State of the Evidence bearing upon the 
Question of the Antiquity of Man,” by Professor T. McK. Hughes, M.A., 
Transactions of the Victoria Institute, vol. xiii., p. 321.—Ep, 
