357 
that these flints are man-made implements : at considerable length Dr. Evans 
discusses the “ characteristics of their authenticity” (p.575); but this only 
relates to the indications by which they can be distinguished from modem 
“ spurious imitations,” which is a very different matter from that of their 
being genuine human implements. The so-called “Implements” of the 
gravel beds of the Somme are undoubtedly authentic , in that they are really 
found in the gravel-beds, and may be known from new-made forgeries ; but 
it does not therefore follow that they are genuine as implements made by man. 
( See Trench on Words, p. 197. — On the “ confusion often made between 
genuine and authentic.” 2d. ed.) And, in fact, Dr. Evans in this place 
does not appear to draw such a conclusion. 
Doth Sir Charles Lyell* and Sir John Lubbockf have considered it ne- 
cessary for them to prove that the “ flint implements ” are ' of human 
workmanship, but they do not support this proposition by any direct 
evidence ; they do, however, convincingly prove by the vitreous gloss and 
dendritic markings on its surface that the split flint is not a modern forgery; 
and then they jump to the conclusion that it is a genuine implement. This is 
obviously a mistake of the question. 
Mr. Prestwich alone has fairly grappled with this subject; and I have 
given his arguments in full and my reply, at page 45 of my Flint Imple- 
ments from Drift. 
On the other hand, there is a considerable amount of sound rebutting 
evidence to show that these split flints are not man-made tools, of which I 
will only now adduce two arguments : — 
1st. These flints are usually found at the lower part of the stratum of 
angular flint-gravel, where the fractured surfaces of the whole mass are 
stained the same colour, show the same kind of fracture, and exhibit the same 
vitreous gloss and dendritic markings as the supposed implements. And 
the most symmetrical implement is found to pass by imperceptible gradations 
through other forms of fractured flint into the rough angular gravel by 
which it is surrounded ; the fracture of which is confessedly the result of 
natural causes. 
In the Museum of Practical Geology in J ermyn Street there are a large 
number of rough flint “ implements ” side by side with naturally-fractured 
flints of approximate forms; the object being to show that the simpler forms 
referred to fortuitous fracture may have suggested the type of the “ un- 
doubtedly artificial implements.” But by an inspection of tbe labels the 
attempt to refer some to one class and some to the other confessedly breaks 
down. Thus in series D> six specimens in succession are described as, — 
“ 42. Seems entirely natural. 
43. Seems also entirely natural — perhaps used. 
44. Apparently being dressed into form. 
* Antiquity of Man. First ed., p. 112. 
f F re-historic Times, p. 276. 
