36 



when a layer of gravel, a few inches thick, was reached. The re- 

 maining portion was tough unstratified blue clay, containing 

 scratched and groo ved stones, waterworn pebbles of sandstone, chalk, 

 basalt, &c, and lumps of lignite. At the depth of 32 feet, and below 

 the layer of gravel, the piece of wrought wood was found. It is about 

 3 inches long, and 1 y 2 inches in diameter, irregularly four-sided, 

 and appears to be a portion of a stake. The marks are evidently 

 made by a sharp instrument, and are so distinct that Mr. Knowles 

 had doubts of its being found at the depth mentioned ; and, 

 though it was only a short time from it was found till it was in his 

 possession, he instituted, by the aid of the Rev. Robert Gray, a 

 very searching inquiry into all the circumstances connected with 

 the finding of it, the result of which was that all doubts of any 

 imposition were removed. On further examination of the wood, 

 he found the marks on it to be of a peculiar kind. There are the 

 ordinary heights and hollows produced by the tool when fashion- 

 ing it into shape ; then over the whole surface there are marks like 

 striae, but raised above the surface of the wood, instead of being 

 sunk into it. 



Mr. Knowles stated that he had made several experiments in 

 order to produce marks of a similar kind, and he found that flint 

 flakes which he had struck off for the purpose, when used to scrape 

 wood slightly charred, produced marks of the same kind. He ex- 

 hibited pieces of wood which he had operated on with the flint 

 flakes, showing the likeness in the marks he had been able to pro- 

 duce to those on the fossil wood. By the process of scraping, 

 minute indentations were made in the fine edge of the flint, which, 

 in turn, left the raised marks on the wood. In conclusion, he 

 stated that he believed the piece of fossil wood to be part of a 

 stake, fashioned by man with flint tools, and that it presented evi- 

 dence of man being pre-glacial. 



On the same evening a paper was read by Dr. H. S. Purdon, 

 Physician to the Hospital for Skin Diseases, Belfast, on " The Hair 

 and Colour of Human Skin as Race Characteristics." Dr. Purdon's 



