ON THE LEA VALLEY. 7
An interesting feature in the marshes has heen the presence
of a disused channel of the Lea, which is partly included within
the boundaries of the southern and partly within those of the
northern reservoir. Towards the north-eastern corner of the
southern reservoir at the spot marked (s) were found the remains
of the old vessel described in the newspapers at the time of its
discovery as a "Viking ship." It was seen on excavating from
the old channel of the Lea a few feet southward, and had, doubt
less, sunk in the then existing channel, which has since, possibly
Photograph of Section in New Reservoirs. Taken by Mr. F. Meeson during
the visit of the Geologists' Association in April, 1901.
in consequence of the presence of the obstruction, been deflected
a few feet towards the north. Another excavation made at this
spot from the old channel northward showed that the channel
had there, in more or less recent times, been deflected south-
ward. This was demonstrated by the presence of fine gravel
and sand containing irregular deposits of shells and vegetable
remains, which were banked against 6 feet or more of ordinary
alluvial clay, as shown in Fig. 6. Where this disused channel
took a fairly straight course, the gravel in it was often diffused