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 filled 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, Mr. W. Crouch, and the Secretary.
We were met at Hangman's Wood by Mr. 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 " filled up," either naturally or artificially. The
filled-up examples are about 30 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. Many of the closed examples are probably not entirely
filled 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 "filled-
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