THE EXTINCT MAMMALS OF LAKELAND. 



Our knowledge of the larger animals which formerly inhabited 

 the interior of Lakeland is partly based upon such remains as 

 have been discovered in peat formations and alluvial deposits. 

 Hitherto the subject has been very imperfectly explored. 

 Indeed, the only man who has shown any enthusiasm in this 

 department of research is a working chair-maker, Mr. Beecham, 

 of Kendal. This enterprising individual, whose unpretentious 

 labours the townsmen of Kendal may well be proud to acknow- 

 ledge, conceived the idea that remains of extinct animals might 

 probably be found to exist in the limestone fissures of Helsfell, 

 a knoll of rising ground with an easterly aspect, situated im- 

 mediately north of Kendal. Having obtained leave of the 

 lord of the manor to excavate the likely fissures, Beecham 

 commenced work in or about the summer of 1880. On the 

 first evening, — his cave digging was accomplished at the con- 

 clusion only of his day's work, — Beecham obtained the assistance 

 of a neighbour in removing a mass of clay, which his single 

 strength was insufficient to dislodge. Having thus secured an 

 entrance to the interior, Beecham dispensed with further aid. 

 He revealed his intentions to no one, but worked on with dogged 

 pluck for five continuous summers, only suspending his self-chosen 

 task when he had reached fissures which could not be opened 

 without blasting. The fissures varied in size, but were generally 

 twenty feet deep. This involved the removal of a great 

 quantity of earth, which was patiently carried out in a bucket, 

 carried to a neighbouring spring, and carefully washed, in order 

 that no small bones might be overlooked. When Beecham 

 completed his labours, the bones which he had found were 

 identified by Professor Boyd Dawkins. They included those of 

 the Hedgehog, Wolf, Bear, Fox, Wild Cat, Polecat or Foumart, 



