SPIRIT OF GOOD BOOKS. 



323 



part of the field was occupied for several centuries as a Gallo-Roinan burying 

 ground. But the old sculptures rarely extend deeper than the brick-earth and 

 gravel b. Some fine specimens of stone coffins (of the hard and sandy lower 

 chalk) remain on the ground, the surrounding brick-earth having been exca- 

 vated. Of the wooden coffins nothing but the ironwork remains. Roman 

 coins, and fragments of old pottery are found on or near the surface, and the 

 new ground is, in places, strewed with human bones. The following sections 

 in M. Freville's pits, show how distinct the line is between the disturbed and 

 undisturbed ground. 



Fig. 8.— Section in the pit near the high road at St. Acheul. 



"The remaining question is whether the fossil bones may have been derived 

 from an older deposit, presents a contingency requiring especial notice. That 

 such a case is possible is evident from the circumstance of fossils and debris of 

 various tertiary strata being found in the gravel. Still there are, I think, valid 

 objections to this supposition. 1. The fragments of bones, although constantly 

 found with their sharp angles worn and blunted, never assume a rounded 

 pebble -form, or exhibit an extent of wear materially differing from or exceeding 

 that to which the flint-implements have been subjected ; while, as a general 

 rule, the entire bones and the teeth are either not rolled at all, or are so slightly 

 so, as rarely to be in any way injured by attrition. If the bones were really 

 derived from an older bed, then consequently they would in general be worn as 

 much as any other materials derived from such a source, — a wear necessarily 

 in excess of that of the newer portion of the gravel, — whereas, on the contrary, 

 the bones are amongst the least worn substances in it. 2. Neither do che 

 bones or teeth show any mineral character, nor is there any mineral substance 

 adhering to them, different to that which would be imparted by the matrix in 

 which they are now imbedded. Nor, if they had only been originally subjected 

 to their actual extent of mineral change, would they have been in a better 

 condition to resist destruction by subsequent exposure and wear than they are 

 now. The teeth of the Elephant are mostly much decomposed, and tend, 

 without great care, to fall to pieces on exposure. Many of the bones are also 

 very friable, the greater number being porous and free from any foreign matter. 

 3. No older beds that could have furnished such mammalian remains are 

 known to exist in the district. 4. The delicate and friable shells found 

 associated with the bones at St. Acheul and Meneheeourt, and that could not 



