359 
thorough and systematic way than they would probably have 
otherwise done. I think it is a matter of which Eastern coun- 
ties geologists may fairly be proud, that the general succession of 
the different beds of East Anglia has been worked out and estab- 
lished, that the greater part of the district has been mapped, 
and that the different fossiliferous deposits have been so industri- 
ously worked, that, with the exception of that of the chalk, which 
is still almost untouched, it is most unlikely that the geological 
fauna of the East of England will ever bo largely added to. No 
doubt the gentlemen who are now engaged in the survey will 
discover errors of detail, and bring to light many facts which havo 
hitherto escaped notice ; but wo may, I think, express the hope, 
that the main features of the work that has been accomplished 
will stand the test of their friendly although vigilant scrutiny. 
Among those who havo laboured to bring about such gratifying 
results, Mr. S. V. Wood, junior, will always take the first place. 
To that geologist mainly belongs the credit of having established 
the succession of the glacial and post-glacial beds of the East of 
England. His name will always bo associated with the stratigraphy 
of our district, as his father’s will be with the molluscan fauna of 
the upper tertiaries, and that of our fellow-citizen Mr. Gunn, with 
the mammalia of the Cromer beds. 
The south-western portion of Norfolk and the north-western 
part of Suffolk have not received that systematic attention from 
Eastern counties geologists which has been given to other portions 
of the district, and it has thus been left to Mr. Skertchly, who 
has been for some time working in the neighbourhood of Brandon, 
to bring to light facts bearing on what is by far the most interesting 
point ever raised by the geological investigation of East Anglia, 
viz., the period at which man first made his appearance in Britain. 
Most of us are old enough to remember the time when it was 
universally believed that the first progenitors of mankind com- 
menced their existence about 6000 years ago. Evidence was brought 
forward at the beginning of the present century, which pointed in 
the direction of a more extended chronology ; but it was then 
received, not so much with incredulity, as with absolute indifference, 
