122 Local Scientific Societies, &c.
found. The fact that local societies have not in past times
been sufficiently alive to the important work which might
thus have been done, by taking advantage of any unavoidable
demolition of prehistoric remains, has led to the destruction
of a vast amount of material which, under proper super-
vision, might have furnished facts of lasting importance to
anthropological science. It remains with your respective
societies to determine whether such ruthless waste of evidence
is to be allowed in the future.
[The principal items of information requested to be fur-
nished to the Ancient Remains Committee of the Essex Field
Club by local residents and antiquaries generally, are :—
(1) The situation of the remains with respect to the nearest
town or village, and whether entered on any published map.
(2) Supposed origin or period of construction, and whether
any tradition or belief is current in the neighbourhood with
respect to the earthwork or other remains. (3), Whether
ever explored ; if so, by whom ; with references to published
or unpublished records of the explorations, and present place
of deposit or owner of any relies discovered. (4) Account of
any remains that have been demolished in the neighbourhood,
with dates and references. (5) Pull bibliographical references
to works giving information respecting the remains in Essex,
and to other sources of information both general and local.
—Ed]