972 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 
other sources. The response made to the appeal for funds has been 
gratifying, substantial assistance having been forthcoming from 
societies and from private individuals. A list of donations appears in 
the accounts for the year, and the Committee take this opportunity for 
thanking those who have contributed so generously; without their 
assistance, work on any substantial scale would have been impossible. 
The Rev. E. H. Goddard very kindly undertook to collect subscriptions 
from members of the Wilts Archgological Society. The thanks of the 
Committee are also due to Lord Avebury and to Captain Jenner for 
permission to conduct excavations on their property; also to the Rev. 
T. G. Ward, Vicar of Avebury, for assistance in securing labourers. 
The Committee wish also to acknowledge gratefully the courtesy with 
which the Somersetshire Archeological Society made it possible for 
Mr. Gray to have leave of absence from Taunton during the period 
oi the excavations. 
The main result achieved from the deep cuttings in the fosse is a 
confirmation of the opinion arrived at last year as to the probable date 
of the monument. Additional positive evidence has been obtained from 
the objects discovered in the lowest layers of silting, and on the 
original bottom of the ditch. These in all cases are objects such as are 
characteristic of the Neolithic period, and although it would be hazard- 
ous to state definitely that they must be of Neolithic date and cannot 
belong to the Bronze Age, the negative evidence, afforded by a total 
absence of copper or bronze, and of objects which are certainly of 
Bronze Age, affords powerful confirmation of the probability of the 
earlier date being the right one. A transverse section of the fosse close 
to the modern road was expected to reveal the sloping sides of the 
causeway presumed to exist, connecting Kennet Avenue with the interior 
of the monument, since at first sight it seemed likely that the road 
would have followed the line of the causeway. No trace of the latter, 
however, appeared in this section, and as it was of considerable 
interest to ascertain whether or not such a causeway had existed, ex- 
ploring trenches were cut on the opposite side of the road, and the 
causeway was discovered to the east of the present roadway. This 
locating of the original line of approach to the interior of the huge 
circle is a most interesting result of this year’s excavations. 
Sectional and other plans of all the parts excavated have been pre- 
pared with very great care, and a large number of excellent photographs 
are now available. 
The grant from the Association having been expended together with 
most of the money raised by subscriptions, it becomes necessary to 
apply for a fresh grant to carry on the work. The Committee ask to 
be reappointed and apply for a grant of 75/., and also for leave to 
invite subscriptions in order to make up a sum sufficient for carrying 
out effective exploration. The huge scale of the earthwork renders its 
investigation comparatively costly and laborious, as the mass of silting 
in the fosse is very great. It is very desirable to continue the work 
next spring, in order that making good the already disturbed ground 
and conducting fresh exploration may proceed together. The ad- 
vantage, moreover, of being able to secure men who have already 
worked under Mr. Gray’s supervision is obvious, and some of those 
employed in this year’s excavations would no doubt be available next 
year; continuity in their employment would undoubtedly save much 
