HAZZLEDINE WARREN : STUDY OF PRE-HISTORY IN ESSEX. 177 
(Thanet sand and drift gravel) had been spread over the 
surrounding land, but all chalk had been entirely carried 
away. The chalk headings, or chambers, were certainly 
cut by metal tools, but no definite evidence of date was 
found. Among the bones, Mr. E. T. Newton was unable 
to identify anything even as early as Bos longifrons. 
The report is followed by many comparative illustrations 
of various kinds of pits elsewhere ; and it concludes in favour 
of the deneholes having been granaries. In the discussiop 
which followed the reading of the report (Proc., iv., 1884, 
p. cxxxi. ; E.N., i., 1887, pp. 223-4), it is noted that the 
rice-pits of Madagascar are comparatively small and shallow 
—they were occasionally used for shelter, but never as 
permanent dwellings. 273 
Chalk Wells (F. W. Elliott. E.N.. i.. 1887, pp. 224 ; 254 ; F. J. 
Bennett, E.N., i., 1887, pp. 260-265, 2 figs.). Describe 
methods of obtaining chalk for marling the land and for 
lime-burning. Shafts, sometimes 70 feet deep, are sunk 
through the overlying strata into the chalk and there 
open out into a bell-shaped cavity or series of chambers 
or headings. Numerous shafts are sunk near together 
to avoid underground haulage. The makers work as far 
as they can conveniently reach with the bucket still 
attached to the rope.* 274 
Beehive Pits, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire (H. B Woodward, 
E.N., i., 1887, pp. 265-266). These are about 5 feet deep 
and 4 feet in diameter, they contain human and animal 
bones, fragments of “ black pottery,” and evidences of 
fire. 275 
Ensilage and Silos (F. C. J. Spurrell, E.N., i., 1887, pp. 266- 
276). Describes methods of preserving grain in pits in 
various parts of the world. This paper gives much 
information on the subject of silos, and argues for the applica¬ 
tion of the theory to the deneholes. In Spain, where 
the method was greatly developed, and is still in use, some 
of the silos are said to be 30 or 40 feet deep ; but the 
ordinary silo is comparatively small and shallow. 276 
Silo pits, still used in Brittany (C. Brown, E.N., ii., 1888, pp. 
5-6). 2 77 
Dene or Dane is the same word as “ den,”a hollow place ( E.N ., 
ii., 1888, p. 112). 278 
Stifford, subsidences (T. V. Holmes, E.N., iii., 1889, pp. 183- 
8, plan and section). These proved to be bell-pits, not so 
• In some cases, the headings are driven upwards at a steep angle, so that the material 
excavated falls down to the foot of the shaft. In some cases, a pit has to be abandoned 
owing to accumulation of water, and this may account for the fact that they do not 
communicate with each other underground—that is, to avoid flooding. 
