FLINT FINDS. 119 



follows submissively in the wake of others not competent to judge 

 for him. 



Thus, the geologist may be allowed to lay down certain theories 

 as to the origin and date of the gravel beds of the Somme ; but, 

 had not M. Boucher de Perthes fancied that some of the flints 

 found in them were fashioned by man, no one would ever have 

 seen in other widely dissimilar stones approximations to instru- 

 ments. Some of the flints found in these beds have an appearance, 

 more or less fanciful, of symm.etrical contrivance ; hence it is in- 

 ferred that an immense number of others, having a resemblance 

 to them, are also to be considered as having been handled by 

 man ; and hence again, that all flints found anywhere, whether in 

 undisturbed formations, or on the surface of the ground, if they 

 in the slightest degree resemble the original finds, are all of 

 similar origin, — all of similar date. 



But these observers do not stop to examine : 



(1). Whether the gravel beds, &c., really are susceptible of 

 the remote dates assigned to them ; — 



(2). Whether the objects supposed to be fashioned by man 

 are not found in those beds so lying as to preclude the possibility 

 of any other than general geological causes ; — 



(3). Whether they really are of human fabric, or whether 

 they have not their antitypes among the most ordinary gravel 

 beds, now forming by tidal action, or by agricultural operations. 



The two former points may very well be left in the hands of 

 such an observer as Mr. Whitley, whose researches have gone far 

 to disprove the illusions entertained by the " flint finders." The 

 third has not been fully wotked out as yet, but may be commended 

 to the diligent observation of those who may find themselves in 

 the proximity of gravel beds, and of chalk districts where flints 

 lie on the surface, and are used freely for road-making or other 

 country purposes. In short, it may be entrusted to the care of 

 those who have to handle flints, and who are practically acquainted 

 with the strange forms, which stones of the kind are found to as- 

 sume from any other causes rather than the hand of man. 



As a trifling contribution to this class of observations, I beg 

 leave to lay before the Royal Institution of Cornwall the accom- 

 panying specimens picked up by myself, during the winter of 

 1865, from gravel in the immediate neighbourhood of Arundel, on 



