no REPORT — 1876. 



Fourth Report of the Committee, consisting 0/ Professor Harkness, 

 Prof. Prestwich, Prof. Hughes, Rev. H. W. Crosskey, Prof. W. 

 Boyd Dawkins, Dr. Deane, Messrs. C. J. Woodward, L. C. 

 MiALL, Gr. H. Morton, and J. E. Lee, appointed for the purpose of 

 recording the position, height above the sea, lithological characters, 

 size, and origin of the more important of the Erratic Blocks of 

 England and Wales, reporting other matters of interest connected 

 with the same, and taking measures for their preservation. Drawn 

 up bij the Rev. H. W. Crosskey, Secretary. 



The Committee has pursued the same course as during former j-ears. The 

 time for generalization has not yet arrived. There are many erratic blocks 

 scattered over the country as yet unrecorded, and their character and distri- 

 bution -svill largelj' aftect any conclusions that may ultimately be reached. 

 The Committee has for its present duty the collection of facts ; Avhen its 

 labours have resulted in a complete account of the isolated boulders and 

 groups of boulders of England, Wales, and Ireland, material now unavailable 

 ■will exist for theoretical discussion, and many important incidents in the 

 history of the glacial epoch will be more accurately determinable. 



The importance of the work undertaken by the Committee continues to be 

 emphasized by the destruction which is constantly going on. AYar is waged 

 upon the boulders (which in many cases are our only source of information 

 respecting the epoch to which they belong) by agriculturists, and builders, 

 and road-makers with unceasing energy. They are built into walls, buried 

 in the earth, used as foundation-stones, and often lilastcd to pieces ; their 

 preservation is difficult to secure, on account of their interference with the 

 cultui'e of the land. In a few years it is not too much to say that the evi- 

 dence of glacial phenomena will in many districts be almost effaced. 



The Committee directs attention to (1) the distribution of erratic boulders 

 from different centres of ice action ; (2) the agencies by which they have 

 been transported ; (3) the different periods in the glacial epoch to which they 

 belong ; (-1) the heights above the sea at which they are found, indicating 

 large changes in phj'sical geology. 



The schedule of inquirj-, indicating the various points of the information 

 required, printed in a former Report, has been issued, and copies may always 

 be had on application to the Secretaiy of the Committee. 





DfiVONSHlKE. 



A Very remarkable group of boulders has been reported upon by Mr. 

 George Doe, of Great Torrington. 



It is found in the estate of Eivalton, in the parish of Langtree, Devon, 

 about four miles from Great Torrington. 



The dimensions of the largest boulder of the group are 13 ft. X 6 ft. x 3 ft. 

 It is subangular in form ; but there are no groovings or striations. It rests 

 on clay, close to a small brook, and is about 500 feet above the sea-level. 

 The only legend connected with it is the old story of its having been thrown 

 by the Devil. 



At the distance of about 25 ft. N.E. is another boulder 3 ft. X ^ ft. X 2| ft. 

 At a distance of 35 yards are sis small boulders, cropping out from the 

 ground. 



