thick, and full of shells, the latter were all of fresh water species, 
and there did not occur any of a marine character. Our Broads 
are outliers of this former hydrographical system, and they occupy 
those spots where the erosion liad been most in operation. 
There can be little doubt that the word “Broad” comes from 
the Anglo-Saxon “ Bradan" ~io make broad— a word which we 
have retained as a proper name when speaking of the largest of 
these expanses, as for instance, Breydon, near Yarmouth.'’ But 
this word, being Saxon, shows us that our Broads existed sepa- 
rately and specially in tho.se days, therefore the whole of the 
valleys could not have been entirely tilled with shallow water at 
so late a period. 
1 he large.st number of the Broads is situated in the Bure Valley, 
where we have twenty-two of all sizes, whose names and acreages 
(the latter ascertained by :\lr. Grantham, C.E.) are as follows 
Ormesby, Filby, and Rollesby ... 
Acres. 
... 4G4 
AValsham 
f)2 
Banworth 
... 117 
Little 
13 
Decoy 
22 
Salhouse 
22 
Burnt Fen 
11 
Iloveton Little ... 
57 
lloveton Great ... 
... 121 
Wroxham 
92 
Bridge 
12 
Belaugh ... 
12 
Catfield ... 
22 
Oliver 
... 23 
Barton ... 
... 229 
Stalham ... 
75 
... 17 
Dilham ... 
Hickling and Whitesley 
... 578 
V'omack 
25 
Clinpman’s 
... 46 
Martham 
... 115 
Horsey ... 
... 130 
(^althorpe 
13 
