1854.] BECKLES — WEALDEN FOOT-TRACKS. 459 



surface of the substratum, or that deposit on which the animal 

 walked ; the majority of the marks, however, are not intaglio, or in 

 the condition of clean impressions, but retain the whole or parts of 

 the natural casts. The overlying sandstone having been worn down 

 by attrition, and not undermined as when casts only are exposed, 

 those portions of it remained which filled the trifidal indentations in 

 the surface of the subjacent layer. 



Series of Footprints No. 1. (PL XIX. fig. 1.) 



The most instructive locality is contiguous to Bexhill, where, on 

 an area of 400 square yards, sixty impressions were found on 

 the surface of the rock at low water ; they are disposed in tracks, 

 directed for the most part either to or from the present beach, 

 that is north or south ; whilst some have an easterly direction. 

 These impressions vary in size from 8 to 24 inches ; but, although 

 they must have been produced by at least six individuals, they might 

 probably be referable to only two species of animals, five series being 

 perhaps varieties in size rather than form, and belonging to the same 

 species of animal at different ages of growth, while a single impres- 

 sion differed from the others both in form and size. 



The diagram in the accompanying plate (PI. XTX. fig. 1), drawn 

 on a scale of ^th of an inch to a foot, illustrates the surface of the 

 rock, and shows the direction and disposition of the footprints. 



The longest line, a a, has a northerly direction, and is composed 

 of twenty-eight consecutive marks of the smallest size, the footprints 

 being respectively about 8 inches long, and separated by intervals 

 of about 1 7 inches, sometimes a little less ; this track is crossed 

 obliquely by a shorter line of eight marks, b h (directed towards the 

 N.N.E.), of the same size, and also having a stride of 17 inches. 



A third track of twelve marks, cc, each about 15 inches long 

 (or nearly twice the length of the smallest), and about 19 inches 

 apart, runs in a line almost parallel with track a a ; but it points 

 in an opposite direction (to the south), and is separated from it by 

 an interval of 1 6 feet and a half at one extremity, and 1 1 feet 2 inches 

 at the other. 



Two consecutive marks, dd, the size of the last, but differing in 

 the length of the stride, which is 3 feet 6 inches, form part of a line 

 crossing a a at right angles. A single print e, also of the size of 

 the last, occurs near the line c c, but points in a contrary direction. 



Three consecutive prints, fff, each 1 2 inches long, run parallel to 

 part of the line c c ; and are met by two others g g, also 12 inches in 

 length, and parallel to c c, but pointing in an opposite direction. 



One print, A, 21 inches in length, at right angles to c e ; and two 

 others, ij, each 24 inches long, at a distance from c c, and pointing 

 to the north, complete the number that exhibit a more or less general 

 similarity in form. 



The solitary print k, crossing the line a a, has narrow toes, and is 

 an exceptional form. 



The slab of soft shaly sandstone exhibited to the meeting dis- 



