261 
original surface, and 6 1 from the chalk. One side slightly 
projected. The gravel around was undisturbed, and pre- 
sented its usual perpendicular face. I carefully examined 
the specimen, and saw no reason to doubt that it was in its 
natural position, for the gravel is generally so loose, that a 
blow with a pick disturbs and brings it down for some way 
around ; and the matrix is too little adhesive to admit of its 
being built up again as before with the same materials. . . 
I found also afterwards, on taking out the flint, that it was 
the thinnest side which projected, the other side being less 
finished and much thicker."* Neither in my first visit, 
nor this spring, when with Mr. Prestwich and Mr. Evans, I 
made another careful examination of these localities, was I 
so fortunate as to find any implement in situ. But evidence 
of this nature, though interesting, is unnecessary ; the flints 
speak for themselves. Originally of a dull black, they have 
been more or less discolored and their surfaces are generally 
stained yellow or white, according to the nature of the beds 
in which they have been lying. As this discoloration follows 
the contours of the present surfaces, it is evident that the 
alteration of colour has been subsequent to the manufacture. 
The weapons have a glossy surface, and a lustre very unlike 
newly broken flints. In many cases also tHey have an 
incrustation of carbonate of lime and small dendritic 
markings. Moreover, it must be remembered, that when 
M. Boucher de Perthes' work was published, the weapons 
therein described were totally unlike anything then known. 
Since that time, however, not only have similar implements 
been found in various parts of England and France, but as 
already mentioned it has since come to light that similar 
weapons were in two cases actually described and figured in 
England many years ago, and that in both these instances 
they were found in association with the bones of extinct 
* Phil. Trans. I860, p. 292. 
