45° PREHISTORIC EUROPE. 



was grown over by peat, chiefly composed of the moss Hypnum 

 fiuitans. 



3d, The succeeding deposits of marine silt with Scrobicularia 

 piperata indicate a limited submergence of the land. 



4th, The sea again retreated to a lower level than at present, 

 and a second forest-growth covered the area of the Fenland. 

 To this date also probably belong the submarine forests which 

 occur upon the sea-coast at Holme and Hunstanton in Bran- 

 caster Bay, and at Skegness and northwards on the Lincolnshire 

 coast. After this second forest had flourished for a time, it 

 eventually succumbed to adverse conditions, and was over- 

 whelmed by the growth of peat. 



5th, Submergence of the land accompanied and followed 

 this change. 



6th, The marine silt, peat, and sporadic layers of trees, 

 which occur in the Fenland at higher levels than the second 

 forest-bed, point to the gradual silting -up of the Wash, and 

 the alternate prevalence of humid and dry conditions on the 

 reclaimed areas. 



