LINCOLNSHIRE BOULDERS. 
THIRD PAPER. be. 
For previous papers see ‘ The Naturalist,’ 1897, pp. 103-105 ; and 1897, pp. 283-284. 
JOHN H. COOKE, F.G.S., ete 
R. BurTON remarks, in his note on ‘Erratic Boulders in 
Lincolnshire,’ in the December issue of ‘The Naturalist,’ that it 
does not at all follow that boulders found ‘at corners near 
been deposited there by ice action. Of course not. It is so Be 
evident how they got into these positions that comment is og 
unnecessary. With few exceptions, all of the records I have 
_ published in ‘ The Naturalist’ have reference to the boulders of 
the Wold district. These boulders, whether they occur at gate- 
_or house-corners, no doubt were deposited by ice action in the 
immediate neighbourhood of the places in which they are now 
The Hessle clay, that flanks the eastern Wolds and 
covers up the old sea cliff, is full of these erratics. They area 
serious impediment to farming operations, and the farmers, 
saeatls dig them out of the fields, and, to get them out of the 
way, they either cart them to the nearest gate-post or farm-yard, 
or they send them into the village to be used as guards for the 
street corners. It must not be forgotten that a ton of basalt or 
granite is not a very large boulder. It is estimated that 10 to 11 
cubic feet of these dense rocks weigh a ton: a boulder, there- 
ni fore, measuring two feet each way is not likely to be carted very 
far, merely for the sake of placing it at gate corners. This is the 
explanation of the origin of the boulders that are found in North 
-Thoresby, a_ village’ that is built on Hessle clay ; and it also 
; explains the origin of the enormous numbers of andesitic boulders 
_ that are to be seen in the streets and inn-yards of Louth. 
Some time last year a fine basalt boulder was excavated from 
James Street, Louth, from out the Hessle clay, and it was carted — 
_ to the Corporation yard. Mr. Burton’s strictures have special 
reference to the North, Thoresby records : a very brief considera- _ 
_ tion of local ci ent to show that his contention 
the Fs 
as regards’ these and other Wold records is. unsound. Of ! 
boulders of the Trent district I have nothing to say, as I have so_ 
La Soh little or a bet in n that dir rection.» It besciagi add nd tie 
