Journal of Proceedings. 
xxxv 
galleries of varying lengths turning out of the principal one at right 
angles (east and west). The galleries had arch-shaped roofs, and varied 
in height from seven to twelve feet, the workings inclining downwards 
and becoming deeper as they went north. Some of the galleries widened 
out at the ends, and formed small chambers, and in one or two instances 
it was observed that the roof of the chamber was considerably higher 
than the gallery which led to it. The entrance appeared to have been 
from the southern end, but as the earth had fallen, or had been Med in 
there, nothing decisive could be said as to the exact position of the 
original entrance. The marks of the picks were as plainly visible as 
though just made, and one pick appeared to be “square-pointed,” so to 
speak, and half an inch broad, whereas another was only a quarter of an 
inch broad. 
Under Mr. Alfred Brooks’ guidance, Mr. Spurrell made a careful 
examination of these chalk workings, and he came to the conclusion that 
they were comparatively modern, and had no necessary connection in 
point of date or intention with the Dene-holes in Hangman’s Wood and 
elsewhere. It was suggested with some show of probability that the 
galleries may have been used as store-houses for smuggled goods, and 
that entrance was obtained by a short shaft from the field above the 
workings. No trace of human or other occupation could be detected, 
with the exception of a small heap of bones, apparently those of 
a bird. 
On the morning of the day of meeting several members journeyed 
down to Grays by an early train, the party including the conductors, 
Mr. Worthington G. Smith, Dr. Cory, Air. W. Crouch, and the Secretary. 
We were met at Hangman’s Wood by Air. Biddell (agent to Capt. Wing¬ 
field, the owner of the wood), who had very courteously given full 
permission to the Secretary to conduct any operations considered neces¬ 
sary; also by Messrs. Herbert and Alfred Brooks, of the Grays Chalk 
Quarries, whose firm had furnished a horse and cart, with the requisite 
“tackle,” and three of their best workmen to handle it. Although the 
wood is not more than a quarter of a mile square (see Plate II.), it con¬ 
tains evidence of the former existence of at least seventy-two Dene-holes ; 
the majority of these are “ Med up,” either naturally or artificially. The 
Med-up examples are about 80 feet across, and 6 or 8 feet deep, and 
form deep basin-like depressions. In several instances the whole cavern 
beneath had evidently fallen in, and quite a chasm in the soil bore witness 
to the calamity. Alany of the closed examples are probably not entirely 
Med up from top to bottom, but the falling in of boughs of trees, showers 
of leaves, and the rain-wash of Thanet-sand, gravel, &c., from the sides, 
has gradually made a kind of plug or cork, above which more soil has 
accumulated. We were told, in confirmation of this view, that a “Med- 
up” hole had recently opened itself again, the plug of leaves and soil 
dropping to the bottom of the shaft. Each open hole presents a funnel- 
shaped aperture, some 20 feet across, gradually shelving down to a 
