582 MR. 0. A. SHRUBSOLE ON THE 



36. On the Valley-gravels about Reading, with especial reference 

 to the PALiEOLiTHic IMPLEMENTS fouficl in them. By 0. A. 

 Shrubsole, Esq., F.G.S. (Eead June 18, 1890.) 





Contents. 



1. 



Introduction. 



2. 



Gravels North of the Thames. 





1. Toots Farm, Caversham. 



3. 



2. Henley Eoad, Caversham. 



3. Shiplake. 



Gravels South of the Thames. 





1. Tilehurst Road, Elm Lodge, Beading. 



2. Norcot Brickyard. 





3. Redlands, Eeading. 



4. Kennet Mouth. 





5. Southern Hill and Earley. 





6. SonniugHill. 





7. Charvil Hill, Sonning. 



8. Euscombe, Twyford. 



§ 4, General Considerations. 



§ 1. Introduction. 



Having had the Pleistocene deposits of this part of the Thames Valley 

 under observation for some years past, and more particularly (since 

 first finding worked flints here fifteen years ago) in reference to the 

 evidence which they afford of the former presence of Man in the 

 district, I desire to offer to the Society a few notes on some of the 

 sections which have proved of especial interest. It is not 

 pretended that this communication aims at presenting a complete 

 view of the subject ; but, as sections are liable to be covered up or 

 to change their character in the course of time, I have thought it 

 well to put on record what has come under my own observation, as 

 it may serve to present a general view of the manner of the occur- 

 rence of the relics of Man within a definite area. 



The Valley of the Thames in this vicinity forms in the deepest 

 part a trough, cut in the Chalk, about a mile and a half wide, beyond 

 which the levels ascend more gradually. Gravel is found here as 

 elsewhere at various elevations, creeping up the valley-slopes, often 

 for a considerable distance where the form of the ground has been 

 such as to retain it. 



Of the plateau- and hill-gravels which succeed the valley-terraces 

 I do not here speak ; but there is often some difiiculty in making 

 out a clear line of demarcation. At about the 300-feet contour-line 

 or less, however, we find that we have to deal with what are 

 generally known as the plateau-gravels. 



§ 2. Gravels I^orth op the Thames. 

 1. Toots Farm, Caversham. 

 There is a considerable spread of valley-gravel around the village 

 of Caversham. On the hill about a mile north of the river, at an 



