222 On a Sepulchral Vessel found near Marlborough. 



coom,bes" of the chalk which exist in the southern district of England. 

 They are in several instances so steep that it is difficult to stand on 

 their slopes; sometimes they are scooped out of the sides of the 

 hills in narrow gorges, as if by the action of torrents; in other 

 cases they converge in a very remarkable and picturesque manner. 

 Geologists differ as to the cause of these coombes, and on the 23rd 

 of February, 1887, a paper on the subject was read at a meeting of 

 the Geological Society of London, by Mr. Clement Reid, F.G.S. 

 The general feeling of the meeting was in favour of the opinion 

 that the phenomena are due to the action of rain, frost, &c, during 

 the great glacial period. There was, however, so much doubt ex- 

 pressed by some of the geologists present that it would be premature 

 to advance any positive view on the subject; we would advise all 

 who are not familiar with the spot to go and see for themselves. 



The downs of Wiltshire, and their associations, are dear to Wilt- 

 shiremen; and there are some of us to whom these associations, 

 connected as they are with many a happy day in the past, and with 

 the memories of dear friends long departed, have a charm deeply 

 felt, but not easily expressed; by such this record will be valued. 



fit a %«Ic{pI Wmd fomtir nmx PsrttoroagJ. 



By Mr. Cunnington, F.G.S. 



@S HE following extract from Hoare's " Ancient Wiltshire/' 

 llPi IL > 34 ' g ives a11 tn e information hitherto published on 

 this subject " I must not omit to mention a very curious relic of 

 antiquity, which by the zeal of the Rev. Mr. Francis, of Mildenhall, 

 was rescued from destruction. It is so unlike any other article we' 

 have hitherto discovered that I have thought it worthy of an en- 

 graving. Fortunately, Mr. Francis had an exact drawing made of 

 it, before it fell to pieces, otherwise I should not have been able to 



