(334 ELEPHAS-ANTIQVUS BED OF CLACTON-OX-SEA. [vol. Ixxix, 



The gradual elevation of the land which had heen proceeding, 

 doubtless intermittently, since early Pleistocene times received a 

 temporary check, and a slight reverse movement set in, thus 

 enabling the sea to regain for a short interval part of its old 

 domain . 



The Woodston, Orton Waterville, West Wittering, Clacton, and 

 probably the Uf ord deposits, all show freshwater beds succeeded 

 by estuarine. Possibly the remaining localities were too far inland 

 to show marine influence. 



The Clacton deposit is thus later than the older brick-earths of 

 Grays, and older than the Cra} r ford deposits, and may well be 

 termed Mid-Pleistocene. 



As to the climate, this must have been very similar to that of 

 the present day, though possibly rather more genial. 



Discussion on the two foregoing Papers. 



Prof. W. J. Sollas complimented the Author on the importance 

 of his discoveries, and remarked that Essex, as represented by 

 Mr. Reid Moir and the Author, was doing much to remove the 

 reproach which might at one time have been made against British 

 geologists of being rather behindhand in these matters. 



The beautiful Chellean implement, with its dagger-like blade, 

 evidently marked a different horizon from that of the overlying 

 gravels which yielded a ' cold ' fauna. The discovery of greatest 

 importance would appear to be the presence of alleged Mesvinian 

 implements beneath a late Acheulean horizon. These implements 

 are good examples of the Mousterian industry, and recall the 

 ' warm ' Mousterian implements of Commont, which similarly occur 

 in an anomalous position. 



Since the ' Mesvinian ' of M. Rutot was originally regarded as 

 pre-Chellean, it might be better to restrict the use of that term to 

 Belgium, although there also the horizon, as shown by Commont, 

 seemed to be Acheulean. The technique of the Essex implements 

 is, however, markedly superior to that of the Mesvinian, and the}' 

 might be described as Mousterian implements on a possibly Mes- 

 vinian horizon. 



The replacement of the Acheulean by Mesvinian in Belgium 

 and the re-appearance of the Acheulean in Essex after a stage of 

 the Mousterian industry, would seem to indicate the contempo- 

 raneous existence of two races (possibly JEoanthroj)us and Homo 

 neanclertalensis) which, perhaps under the influence of climatic 

 changes, encroached on each other's hunting-grounds. 



Mr. W. WhiTaker said that the geological survey of the 

 Clacton district was carried out, under his supervision-, about half 

 a century ago. Personally, he mapped only the less interesting 

 tract east of Clacton ; while the more interesting beds Avest of 

 Clacton were carefully noted by Mr. W. H. Dalton, who mapped 

 that part. The work having been done so long ago, it was clearly 

 time that the district should be again examined, and fresh sections 



