E E P R T S 



ON 



THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



Seventh Report of the Committee for Exploring Kent's Cavern, Devon- 

 shire, — the Committee consisting of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., 

 F.R.S., Professor Phillips, F.R.S., Sir John Lubbock, Bart,, 

 F.R.S., John Evans, F.R.S., Edward Vivian, George Busk, 

 F.R.S., William Boyd Dawkins, F.R.S., William Ayshford 

 Sanford, F.G.S., aracf William Pengelly, F.R.S. (Reporter). 



During the year which has elapsed since the Sixth Eeport was sent in 

 (Liverpool, 1870), the Committee have without intermission carried on 

 their researches, and have strictly followed the mode of working with which 

 the exploration was commenced in 1865. The Superintendents have con- 

 tinued to visit the Cavern, and to record the results daily ; they have, as 

 from the beginning, sent Monthly Reports to the Chairman of the Com- 

 mittee ; the work has been carried on by the same workmen, George Smerdon 

 and John Farr, who have discharged their duties in a most efficient and 

 satisfactory manner ; and the Cavern is as much resorted to as ever by visitors 

 feeling an interest in the researches. 



In June 1871, Mr. Busk, a Member of the Committee, spent some time 

 at Torquay, when he visited the Cavern accompanied by the Superintendents, 

 who took him through all its branches, explored and vinexplored. Having 

 carefuUy watched the progress of the work, and made himself familiar with 

 all its details, he spent some time at the Secretary's residence, examining and 

 identifying a portion of the mammalian remains which had been disinterred. 



In November 1870 the Superintendents had also the pleasure of going 

 through the cavern with Mr. W. Morrison, M.P., who takes so active an 

 interest in the exploration of the caves near Settle in Yorkshire. 



Besides the foregoing, and exclusive of the large number attended by the 

 guide appointed by the proprietor, Sir L. Palk, Bart., M.P., the Cavern has 

 been visited during the year by the Earl and Countess Russell, Sir R. Sin- 

 clair, Bart., Sir C. Trevelyan, Mr. C. Gilpin, M.P., Governor Wayland, U.S., 

 Colonel Ward, Major Bryce, U.S., Rev. Mr. Dickenson, Rev. E. N. Dumble- 

 ton, Rev. J. P. Foster, Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, Dr. Ashford, Dr. Tate, and 

 Messrs. S. Bate, R. BeUasis, L. Bowring, W. R. A. Boyle, W. Bridges, 



1871. B 



