458 PROCEEDIKGS OP THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [June 19, 



Ealing, some extensive cuttings in the gravel produced no trace of 

 flakes or implements. 



In all, about 22 implements and 160 flakes were discovered in the 

 gravels at Acton and Ealing, the implements being far less numerous 

 than in the similar deposits of the Somme or the Ouse. The forms 

 of the implements vary between the oval and the pear-shape ; and 

 there is no evidence of the greater antiquity of either. Of these 

 forms, nearly all were rounded, and left with the natural surface of 

 the flint at the butt-end, only one having been found at Acton roughly 

 chipped to an edge at the end. This is exclusive of the surface-type 

 implement already mentioned as having been found to the east of the 

 Station. The forms of the implements appear to have been deter- 

 mined by those of the stones out of which they were fabricated, an 

 oval stone producing an oval implement, and a long stone a long 

 implement. Most of the implements are of small size ; and those 

 found in Section F, being the commonest, might perhaps be selected 

 as the Acton type. One implement, found by me in this gravel, 

 is remarkable for being entirely untouched on one side, and roughly 

 chipped on the other, showing that the fabricator selected a suitable 

 pointed stone for his purpose, and, having one side prepared for 

 him by nature, devoted his whole attention to the trimming of the 

 other. Another implement was found in a rudimentary stage of 

 manufacture, having only one side formed, by blows delivered all 

 in one direction, when the fabricator abandoned it. [Two weU-formed 

 cores were exhibited, one of which was from Mill Hill.] The flakes, 

 as a rule, are more abundant, smaller, and finer than is customary in 

 the drift ; some of these might be taken for surface-flakes ; they are 

 no doubt peculiar to the drift of this locality. 



The long, sharp, thin flake, 5^ inches in length, ^ thick, and | broad, 

 found in the seam of soft sandy clay, in the position represented in the 

 diagram, Section H, is, I believe, almost a unique specimen of drift 

 manufacture, and suggests the possibility of many of the other flakes 

 having been originally of more perfect construction before they became 

 rolled and fractured in the gravel. Two or three specimens are bevelled 

 at the end, as in the form of scrapers. Some of the implements were 

 found by myself in gravel laid on roads, and excavated from spots 

 the particular position of which could be ascertained. In all cases 

 where sections are given, I took particular care to test the accuracy 

 of the statements of the workmen as to the exact positions of the 

 implements, and I have no doubt of their correctness in each case. 

 Shortly after I commenced my visits to Acton, some rather ingenious 

 attempts at forgery were foisted upon me, by chipping, varnishing, 

 and, when dry, burjdng the flints thus prepared in the ground ; but 

 upon my pointing out at once to the workmen the precise manner in 

 which each chip had been made, the recent character of the whole, 

 the varnishing, the burying, and the economy of time and labour 

 which might be effected by looking for the real implements when at 

 work in the gravel, instead of wasting so much time over very im- 

 perfect imitations, they at once saw that it was impossible to deceive 

 me, and I never afterwards found any attempt made to impose upon 



