Nicolh—On " Sarsens," or Erratic Blocks. 297 



also be evidence of the upheaval of part of the country during the period 

 when the gravel was deposited, as shown by the presence of similar (?) 

 gravel on both the elevated and low grounds around. The operation of 

 simple denudation to produce the valleys, being excluded from con- 

 sideration, unless we suppose that the Bracklesham Beds (No. 15 of 

 the Ordnance Survey G-eological Map, No. XI.), of which the country 

 hereabouts consists, to be here more than 160 to 180 feet in thick- 

 ness ; and, even then, it would be difficult to explain the recurrence 

 of similar gravel on the hills and in the denuded valleys. I do not, 

 in the preceding paragraph, refer to what appears to be an older 

 gravel, consisting of rounded pebbles only, which I have seen in the 

 highest levels, and at an intermediate one, and, if the same (which 

 seems doubtful), at a lower level; — it would also suggest an up- 

 heaval of the ground in parts. 



And now for the instances of erratic blocks of stone, which have 

 come to my knowledge. 



1st. — Some eighteen j^ears ago I was informed by a near relation, 

 who had seen them, of the discovery of such stones in a gravel pit at 

 Freemantle, about a mile west of Southampton. The pit I have 

 seen, but I have not examined the stones. It is on the present 

 coast-line. 



2nd. — At Bishopstoke gravel-pit, about five miles north of South- 

 ampton. About two years ago I examined three blocks of stone, but 

 did not take specimens of them. They were probably Tertiary sand- 

 stone. Two of them were angular, and contained from two to three 

 cubic feet each. The third was somewhat larger, and tortoise- 

 shaped, thus : — X"^ ^^"'-^ 



3rd. — At Bevois valley gravel-pit, in November last, I examined, 

 and took specimens of the three blocks of stone now figured in 

 Plate Xin. They are of Tertiary (?) sandstone, and two of them 

 contained small flint pebbles. Their dimensions are : — 



No. 1. — Top block. Long, 43in. ; high, 23|in. ; thick below, 19iii.; thick above, 8iu. 

 No. 2, — Eight-hand block. Long, 23in. ; broad 19in. ; high, 15 inches. 

 No. 3. — Left-hand block. Long, 23in. ; broad, 24in. ; thick, 7 inches. 



All the stones at Bishopstoke, and Nos. 2 and 3 here, were found at 

 the hottom of the gravel. No. 1, however, was found upright, about 

 half-way down the gravel, with about four feet of gravel above, and 

 four below it.' 



4th. — Eed-hm gravel-pit, three miles from Southampton, on the 

 Winchester road, and about 170 feet above the sea. A block of 

 Tertiary sandstone was found at the bottom of the gravel, one foot 

 five inches long, eight inches broad, and about ten inches thick. I 

 have examined this one, and taken a specimen of it, which is quite 

 similar in appearance to the other specimens. 



5th. — Hill Head, near Fareham, on the north bank of the 

 Southampton "Water. I have not seen this locality, nor read any ac- 



' These three stones have been placed in the court-yard of the Hartley Institute, 

 at Southampton, where, by the kindness of the Principal of that Institution, they may 

 now be seen. 



