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[The following paper was received from Mr. Dancer on the 
Ih of May, 1877.] 
“ On the Transfer of Subsoil to the Surface by the agency 
of Worms, Insects, Larvm, Moles, etc.,” by J. B. Dancer 
F.R.A.S. 
Occasionally we hear of the discovery below the surface 
of the soil of articles which undoubtedly were originally placed 
on the surface, either by accident or design, and various causes 
may be assigned to explain the burying process, — such as • 
periodical floods carrying solid matter, sand or dust storms, 
the formation of fresh layers of mould by the decay of 
vegetation, and the turning over of the soil during agricul- 
tural operations. 
From my own observations I incline to the belief that 
other agencies are concerned in this process. We know 
that very insignificant operations, if persistently carried on 
through a lengthened period, will produce important results, 
and, in this manner, it is possible that earth-boring insects 
worms, moles, etc., may assist materially in covering the 
surface with soil transferred, from below, and in this way 
objects may be covered up without the surface of the ground 
being elevated above its original level, except by the decay 
of vegetation on its surface. 
During the transfer of subsoil to the surface, seeds of 
plants might accidentally be pushed into conditions favour- 
able for germination, which, in process of time, might change 
the character of the vegetation on the surface. We know 
that turning over the ground frequently brings about a 
complete change in the vegetable growth. 
I will name one example which I think, to some extent, 
supports my views. 
Mr. W. Mellor, of the Ardwick Lime Works, caused a 
small field to be profusely covered with crushed bones; they 
were not covered over with earth, but left quite exposed on 
the surface. Some years afterwards, a hole was dug in this 
field for the purpose of getting some sand from below the 
soil. On looking into this hole, Mr. Mellor perceived a 
white band several inches below the surface of the soil, at a 
I uniform depth all round the hole. Curiosity prompted him 
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