TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 979 
Fortunately this machine was figured and described in the ‘Ulster Journal of 
Archeology ’ (vol. vii. p. 165) as an ‘ antique wooden implement,’ but as to its use 
no rational explanation has ever since been given. One thought it was a fish-trap 
intended to be placed in a river ; another, that it was a kind of pump; a third, that 
it was a machine for making peats; and a fourth, that it was a cheese-press. The 
_ only noteworthy difference between the Ivish machine and its analogues on the Con- 
tinent is that the former has its central aperture closed by one valve instead of two. 
To find so many of these machines, of unknown use and so remarkably similar 
in structure, in such widely separate districts as Ireland, North Germany, Styria, 
and Italy, must be a matter of interest to archeologists, and no one can say that 
the correct explanation of their use is to be found in any of the suggestions hitherto 
offered on this point. In helping to solve this problem, Dr. Munro, in conclusion, 
directed attention to an important factor—viz. that all the examples from Italy, 
Laibach, and Ireland were found in bogs which in earlier times had been lakes. 
This may be also true as regards those from North Germany ; but the point is not 
referred to in the short notices that have appeared of them. If these machines 
are really traps, they could be used only in water, where the animal could insert 
its head from below; and, among amphibious animals, the otter and beaver are the 
only ones to which all the conditions involved in a trap theory would apply. 
5. Indications of Retrogression in Prehistoric Civilisation in the Thames 
Valley.2 By H. Stoves, F.G.S. 
The author exhibited seventy-four flints, consisting of forty-five celts, &c., of 
a rough and rude type, that have been fashioned from polished N eolithic celts and 
tools, twelve scrapers, and seventeen polishers from the same source. 
Of these a few are possibly doubtful, as they are fragments, and the polished 
surface existing upon them is small. Of over sixty specimens, however, there 
cannot be a reasonable doubt but that they have been intentionally and deliberately 
chipped to their present form. It is evident that they are not the result of 
‘accident or of normal wear and use. 
They all come from the Upper Thames Valley, between Oxford and Reading. 
With one exception they are flint. None of them show signs of recent fracture, 
and all have the peculiar white or brown surface acquired by flint under lengthened 
exposure. The author has a large collection of worked flints from the Thames, 
from which (and helped by Mr. W. R. Davies, M.N.S., Wallingford) the specimens 
were selected. 
The author suggests that the flints show that a tribe up the Thames had 
attained the comparatively high degree of civilisation indicated by perfectly made 
and polished tools, of which so many still exist. For some reason this more 
cultured race or tribe was vanquished by a more barbarous nation from the North 
or West. These ruder people could not, or would not, use the more perfect, tools 
of the conquered race, as they needed more skill to make, and greater intelligence 
to handle, to keep in order, and to mount. These ruder men had not the necessary 
intelligence; hence they took the tools and worked them back to a form they 
understood, and by so doing furnished the evidence of 1etrogression in prehistoric 
civilisation. 
6. On the Duggleby ‘ Howe.’* By the Rev. E. Mautx Cote, W.A., F.G.S. 
In July last Sir Tatton Sykes, Bart., commenced the opening of the great 
mound at Duggleby, on the Yorkshire Wolds. The work was entrusted to the 
_ eare of Mr. T. R. Mortimer, the well-known antiquarian, and occupied six weeks, 
; 1 For further details see Lake-dwellings of Europe and Proc. of S. A. Scot. January 
12, 1891. 
2 Published in extenso by the author with same title, pp. iv, 16, quarto, (Leeds: 
Goodall & Suddick.) 1890. 
+. % Proccedings of Yorks. Geol. Soc. vol. xi. part ili. 
