AT HANGMAN'S WOOD, GRAYS. 255
pit became unpleasantly wet before any great quantity of chalk could be extracted,
and this naturally led to the abandonment of the first shaft and the sinking of another
near—and so on. It is, therefore, evident that all that is exceptional in these tile-
works pits—as compared with Mr. Bennett's examples—arises solely from the
exceptionally waterlogged condition of the chalk in the locality, and gives us no
ground whatever for supposing that the tile-works sinkers would not have
penetrated the chalk as deeply as the Berkshire sinkers, had the circumstances
been similar, or would not have contented themselves with one shaft had the chalk
been dry. We have indeed in this instance a good example of the exception that
proves the rule. Of course sinkers of chalk-wells for agricultural purposes would
never, finding the chalk waterlogged, have sunk again close by, but the proprietors
of tile-works usually have rights of sinking shafts only within a very limited area,
and find no great inconvenience from the presence of disused shafts within that
area.
(B) LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE "DENEHOLE EXPLORATION
FUND."
The following gentlemen were, in 1884, appointed a Committee for the purpose
of conducting investigations into the nature and use of the Deneholes existing in
Essex and elsewhere:—T. V. Holmes. F.G.S., M.A.I. (Chairman of the
Committee), Prof. G. S. Boulger, F.G.S., F.L.S., Herbert E. Brooks, B. G. Cole,
W. Cole, E. A. Fitch,F.L.S., Prof. Flower, F.R.S., A. Lockyer, Prof. R. Meldola,
F.R.S,, N. F. Roberts, F.G.S., F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., Worthington G. Smith,
F.L.S., F. C. J. Spurrell, F.G.S., C. Thomas, F.G.S., Henry Walker, F.G.S.,
A. R. Wallace, F.L.S., Rev. W. Linton Wilson, M.A. The actual work of exploration
at Hangman's Wood was intrusted by the Committee to Messrs. T. V. Holmes
and W. Cole, who were also requested to draw up the foregoing Report. It will,
therefore, be understood that the reporters are alone responsible for the statements
and conclusions appearing in the same. Under the authority of the Committee a
fund was opened, and numerous contributions have been received or promised. By
the kindness of Mr. F. W. Rudler and the Council of the Anthropological Insti-
tute, a circular calling attention to the proposed explorations was inserted in the
Journal of the Institute. As one stage of the explorations is closed, it is thought
well to acknowledge in the fullest way the kind aid so generously afforded by many
members and friends. The list of subscriptions is therefore printed in this place :—