148 Cooke: Neolithic Life in Lincolnshire. 
at Kyme, Billinghay, ser aac Pinchbeck Barrs, Washing- 
d Wit 
borough and Brigg. one exception all of these are 
rude ‘dug-outs,’ suena: simply of an untrimmed tree, 
hollowed out; but that which was found at Pinchbeck Barrs 
was built of rough planks in a manner such as evidenced 
the possession on the part of the artisans of considerable 
constructive skill. 
e boat which was found at Brigg, and which belongs 
to the tect class, is specially interesting, both on account 
of its size and the geological horizon at which it was found. 
In the year 1886, the Brigg Corporation undertook the enlarge- 
ment of their gasworks, and excavations were made for a 
gasometer. It was in this excavation that the boat was 
discovered. 
r. Atkinson described it in a paper which he communicated 
log of oak, which had been ‘‘dug out” or hollowed: the butt 
or root end being used for the stern.’ The stern itself consists 
of a flat board which has been fitted into grooves on either side. 
The length of the boat over all is 48 feet 6 inches, and the 
hers originally varied from 4 feet 3 inches at the bows to 
6 inches at the stern. While in use, this primitive 
fet seems to have developed several rifts or cracks, and it 
says much for the ingenuity and resource of the people, who, 
with no other appliances than their rude stone celts and heate 
stones, were able to cut out this boat Lei repair the leaks 
with patches of oak and caulkings of mos 
The moss caulkings have been Seiiatad by Mr. 
Lett, who notes that one of the mosses used is the common 
Cushion Moss (Thuzdium tamariscinum); while the other is 
Hypnum triquetrum, a moss that is now largely used in the 
London markets for making moss baskets. Remarking on Pe 
the methods adopted by these ancient people, Mr. Atkinson — 
says, ‘It is inconceivable that the constructors of this vessel 
- 
We must therefore conclude that the tree had completed the 
term of its natural existence, and had at last fallen through 
sheer old age. The workmen would find the tree hollowed 
to their hands, and the work would be finished perhaps by 
burning.’ 
is now carefully preserved at Brigg in a house 
The boat 
that has been specially built for it by Mr. V, Cary Elwes. 
The question as to its age opens up an interesting line of - 
investigation, with the salient nis of which [ adores to 
Resink in my. next ree 
