Abbott.] 96 [October 18, 



A RECENT FIND IN THE TRENTON GRAVELS. 



BY C. C. ABBOTT, M.D. 



That particular accumulation of sand, pebbles and boulders lying 

 in the valley of the Delaware River, from the head of tide water, 

 southward, almost to the sea — and known as the " Trenton 

 gravel," has been so frequently discussed, both as to its geological 

 and archaeological significance, that to refer to it again, even 

 incidentally, is suggestive of twice-told tales ; but if the literature 

 of the subject be examined, it will be found that only the merest 

 outlines of the archaeological significance of these gravels have 

 been given, and many details are yet required, before a living 

 picture of the ancient glaciated river and its fauna " can be pro- 

 duced. 



To present new facts, that will go a little way in thus complet- 

 ing the picture — or better, the prehistoric annals of this river — 

 is the purpose of this brief paper. 



On the evening of January 19th, 1881, I had the pleasure of 

 presenting to this Society a statement of the progress in the 

 investigations of these gravels that I had made, and offered what 

 I maintained and still maintain was sufficient evidence for assert- 

 ing, without qualification, that at the time these gravels were 

 deposited, man dwelt upon the shores of the ancient river, and 

 had left in the accumulations of gravel which the ice and floods 

 then laid down, abundant evidences of his presence and handi- 

 work. These evidences — then confined to a series of rudely 

 chipped stone implements — were at the same time thoroughly 

 discussed by others who had visited the locality — and no dissent 

 was offered to the essential correctness of the views I then ex- 

 pressed. 



Since then, now nearly two years, several excellent opportu- 

 nities have occurred for further examination of these gravels, and 

 with the following results. 



In consequence of the removal of many thousands of cubic 

 yards of this gravel, by the R. R. Co., there has been, near Tren- 

 ton, for years an, extensive exposure of this deposit, which con- 

 stantly presents a new section of the mass in an undisturbed 

 condition, as hundreds of car-loads are removed. This has afforded 



