1870.] 21 [Winslow. 



six feet in thickness, according to the irregularity of the surface of 

 the field. 



2. Rounded pebbles and stones of all sizes, mixed with some 

 angular ones, composed of granite, red sandstone, muschelkalk, etc., 

 lying in lines or layers at irregular inclinations to each other, as if 

 constantly cut out and disturbed and redeposited by tidal currents of 

 different degrees of strength. Large angular boulders and fine sili- 

 cious sand are here and there interspersed in this gravelly deposit. 

 This varies also from ten to fifteen feet in thickness, with irregular 

 edges of connection with the deposits above and below it. 



3. A layer of fine silicious sand fit for mixing with mortar, con- 

 taining few pebbles and presenting a front or outcrop which shows 

 the sand to have been constantly shifting by the action of wind or 

 water (water without doubt as it appeared to me). This is. from one 

 to two and one-half feet in thickness. 



4. Another deposit of pebbles, stones, boulders, etc., as described 

 in the second deposit. The excavation reaches down no further than 

 about thirty or thirty five feet from the surface. 



We found two German laborers (peasants), at work there in sift- 

 ing' this material for mortar sand and building purposes. Perceiving 

 us interested in examining the place and in breaking the stones, they 

 showed us what they called "a curious looking stone," which they 

 had just taken out where the deposit No. 3 joins No. 4. The stone 

 was still saturated with moisture, and looking very dark, as wet red 

 sandstone does look, and sand and small pebbles were still adhering 

 to it as if loosely cemented to it by long contact. I purchased it of 

 them believing it to be an implement in the domestic economy of 

 some extremely ancient representatives of the human race. The 

 spot where this object was found was twenty five feet from the sur- 

 face of the field as carefully examined and estimated by Mr. Wahl 

 and myself. 



The implement appears to be a red sandstone mortar (like our 

 North American Indian mortars) 3 3-4 inches in diameter, and 11-2 

 in depth, and 3-4 of an inch in the thickness of the shell — or about 

 these dimensions. The object is concave and convex, with rounded 

 edges, smooth and evenly rubbed and worn on the inside like any 

 mortar in long use, and roughish on the outside as if weather worn 

 or knocked about by hard usage. The mark of the pick is visible on 

 the convex part where it was struck when it was dislodged. from the 

 deposit in which it was embedded. The laborers informed us that 



