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THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
not as being intentionally made implements of burin form.
Breakages in bottle glass, of burin-like form, are not uncommon.
Similar modern breakages are also to be found in prehistoric
flint flakes. But such pseudo-burin breakages are never flaked,
sharpened and re-sharpened, in the technique of the true burin.
The Southend Museum possesses what is beyond question a
true burin, found in the peat at Hullbridge in contemporary
association with the barbed arrow-point and the polished axe.
At the same time there are many alleged English burins which,
in my judgment, are merely accidental breakages. Other cases
are doubtful.
In the Loughton Camp collection there is perhaps no example
of the burin that is good enough upon its own merits to prove
the case for the survival of the burin. But if found in a French
cave deposit these Loughton Camp specimens would unquestion-
ably be passed as being rather poor specimens of the burin.
There is a further point that is of considerable theoretical
import in pre-history. The Loughton Camp "burins," even
if we question their right to that name, are certainly as true to
type in the details of their technique as other English burins
that are claimed as giving evidence of a Cave Age date.
6. (1/2). Unweathered flake in "mint" condition from the
"Relic-bed" of area XVIII. This has a series of burin-like
flakes (the "burin-blow" sharpening flakes) struck off across
the end. It is very like many specimens in my collection from
the French caves, intermediate between the rectangular burin,
and the burin carene.
7. (1/2). Another unweathered flake in "mint" condition,
made out of a polished axe, the polished portion being suggested
in the drawing by short interrupted vertical lines across the
middle and on the right. The narrow chisel-like burin edge is at
least largely an accidental breakage, although under a lens it
looks as if it had been utilized. "Relic-bed," area XX.
8. (1/2). This is one of those rather puzzling core-like pieces,
considerably burnt, found in the lower part of the rampart in
area III. Although less convincing than some, this is distinctly
suggestive of the burin carenr. The French cave deposits yield
many second-rate gravers, not unlike this specimen.
9. (1/2). A better example of the same class, found under
the "Relic-bed" at 10 inches from the surface (where the " Relic-