646 
Saxon period, should these have been neglected, as was 
most probably the case, the original evil would be greatly 
increased, because as the drainage of the whole lowland 
space within the sea bank was then dependent solely upon 
the artificial and not numerous outlets provided for them 
by the Romans, if these should be silted up, a permanent 
flood would be the consequence, bringing death and burial 
with its waters for the forests that once doubtless covered 
the fens of Lincolnshire, no tree being able to survive a 
continued immersion of its roots in water. This theory, 
however, respecting the subterranean forests of Holland 
and Kesteven, although very plausible, is not tenable, because 
it has been clearly ascertained that portions, at least, of the 
Roman bank are raised upon this very peaty stratum of 
which it has been supposed to be the originator,* so that 
the submersion of the forest land below, clearly belongs to 
a date anterior to the works above it ; although from 
observations on the subsoil of Hatfield Chase, and portions 
of the Trent and Witham valleys, we have reason to suppose 
that a change of levels in those districts took place at a 
later period, Roman remains having been found there 
below the peat stratum very commonly, particularly when 
the enclosure of Austerfield was in progress. 
Secondly, finding that the submersion of these forest lands 
was not affected by the agency of the Romans, also that large 
tracts of similar lands exist beyond the sea bank, and far 
below the usual level of the sea, it has been suggested that 
a change in the coastal line ha3 been effected by the action 
of the sea. 
Great changes have no doubt taken place in the outline 
of the Lincolnshire coast, owing to the action of the sea 
on its exterior, and the ceaseless flow of the inland waters 
• Farming of Lincolnshire, by John Algernon Clarke, Agricultural Journal, 
vol. 12. 
\ 
