23 
I have now brought this examination to a close, having endeavoured to 
present the evidence which has determined my own opinion in as clear a light, 
and in as fair a manner as possible. It cannot be thrust aside or ignored as 
irrelevant. It is not answered by the reiterated cry that “ the flint hatchets 
of Amiens and Abbeville are as clearly works of art as any Sheffield whittle.” 
It is in vain for author after author to write whole pages to prove the 
“ authenticity ” and “genuineness” of the “implements,” when such mis- 
leading words are found only to refer to the- discovery of the flint in the 
gravel, and not to the human manufacture of the tool. I have shown by the 
evidence of the flints themselves, and by their relationship to the sur- 
rounding gravel, that their origin is natural, and not artificial. 
“ To the solid ground 
Of nature trusts the mind which builds for aye.” 
At the conclusion of Mr. Michell 5 s paper, 
The Chairman said,— It is now my duty to move a vote of thanks to 
Mr. Michell for his paper, and to mention that any here are at liberty to 
join in the debate thereon ; as there are some present whom we are specially 
anxious to hear, may I to call on Mr. J ohn Evans kindly to commence the 
discussion.' 55 ' 
Mr. J. Evans, F.R.S — I am sure that all present sympathize with the 
author of the paper, and regret the indisposition which has prevented him 
from laying his views before us with as much facility as he would otherwise 
have done. I will preface what I have to say with the remark that 
he and I, as well as a good many of those who are well acquainted with 
the manufacture of flint instruments in modern times, and who have studied 
the question of their production in ancient times, hold very different views. 
Mr. Michell has attempted to show that instead of these implements (for 
such, with all respect for him, I must still continue to call them) being of 
human manufacture, their forms and appearances are due to some mysterious 
natural causes. In the first place, he has taken up the question with regard 
to the flint flakes, some of which lie upon the table, ^-—simple forms of flint 
which are made, at the most, with two or three blows, — upon the evidence 
furnished by which, when they are found in gravel, unless they occur in con- 
siderable numbers, and bear upon their edges the signs of having been used, 
I am not aware that any archaeologist has ever attempted to rely. The bulk 
of the flakes to which the author of the paper alludes — I mean those which 
& With a view to carrying out the main object of the Institute, in holding 
a meeting to which all who take any side in the Flint implement controversy 
were invited to come and to speak freely, the Editor has forborne to make 
any correction or curtailment in the following speeches. — [Ed.] 
