Reviews—LIghtham, a Kentish Village. 235: 
As the result of several years’ work, aided by friends whose assistance 
is freely acknowledged, he has just contributed to ‘‘ The Homeland 
Library ”’ an interesting volume, which will be welcomed by the 
student of geology and archzology as a convenient guide to a locality 
of exceptional attraction. 
In Mr. Bennett’s close study of the district he found it desirable to: 
undertake a re-survey of the Drift on the 6-inch map. This detailed 
work led him to recognize a special type of deposit, which he 
distinguishes as ‘scarp drift.’ Occurring as terraces at the foot of the 
Chalk escarpment and running up the coombes, it is composed largely 
of pellets of chalk, passing into a loam, and is regarded by the author 
as the relics of the great denudation of the Chalk s scarp. ‘The classical 
problem of the denudation of the Weald naturally claims discussion 
at some length. Not satisfied, like many others, with the adequacy 
of Ramsay’s views, the author invokes with Prestwich the aid of 
glacial action; but, after all, considers that the problem remains 
unsolved, since none of the theories put forward completely meet the 
case. ‘‘ In our opinion,” says Mr. Bennett, ‘‘the various causes of 
the denudation of the Weald are still to be sought for, and the 
question may still be considered to be an open one.’ 
To explain the formation of the deep gorge of the Shode, the 
author supposes that subaerial denudation was assisted by subterranean 
erosion. He holds that the underground flow of water in the Hythe 
Beds, pent up between the Atherfield Clay below and the clayey 
Sandgate Beds above, would effect much erosion; and that when the 
stream, in working downwards, cut any water-bearing joints the 
released water might rush up by hydrostatic pressure, as in an artesian 
well, thus materially assisting the denudation, whilst subsidence 
would be a contributory factor in the formation of the valley. 
The Kolithic question, which has done so much to make Ightham 
famous, is fully dealt with; but it is doubtful whether many 
anthropologists will care to follow the author in his recognition of 
a yet earlier ‘Lithic period.’ Mr. Larkby contributes a chapter on 
the development of flint implements, whilst Mr. Bennett describes the 
palzeolithic rock-shelters at Oldbury and the megalithic remains in 
neighbouring districts. Mr. Scott Temple writes on many of the 
historical monuments, and Mr. Filkins describes the famous Mote 
House, whilst the rather curious subject of gravestones is dealt with 
by Mr. Bennett. 
One of the most interesting sections of the work is Mr. Lewis 
Abbott’s description of the bone-bearing fissures in the limestone of 
the valley of the Shode, in which he summarizes his remarkable 
researches, so well known to geologists. Incidentally he remarks that 
he still has probably 20,000 relics awaiting examination. Finally, 
Mr. Osborne White contributes an appendix on the Chalk of Ightham. 
It remains to add that the work is well illustrated, mostly from 
photographs. A portrait of Mr. Harrison appropriately forms the 
frontispiece, whilst several plates of stone implements represent. 
specimens in the ‘‘ Harrison Colleetion,”’ now in the County Room of 
the Maidstone Museum, where they have been photographed by 
Mr. Elgar, the sub-curator. 
