Journal of Proceedings. xxxvii
of the two remaining chambers from the surface was about 71 feet, the
height of the chambers about 11 or 12 feet, and the extreme length from
the base of the shaft about 40 feet. At one time this " dene " had been
in all probability much more perfect and extensive, but as many of the
chambers (supposing others existed) were blocked up, and the place
appearing dangerous owing to the tendency of the thin roof of chalk to
give way, the scene of operation was changed to another pit, a little
further on, on the same side of the woodland path.
To quote Mr. Walker's description, this pit (No. 2, of small plan on
Plate II.) was " of a decidedly romantic and suggestive exterior. It was
well protected by overhanging trees and a shroud of honeysuckle ; indeed
it was so well concealed as to give a vivid idea of the times when such
natural screens were of vast importance to the owners or occupants. Our
men were soon at work with their bill-hooks, the platform and winding-
gear were again erected, and the descent safely effected. Again foot-holes
were found on the sides of the shaft, and again at the base we landed
upon a huge heap of rubbish, the accumulation of untold years. Pro-
ceeding cautiously with our lanterns, and planting a lighted candle every
few yards, we soon found that we were in a typical Dene-hole, in an
excellent state of preservation."
A section and ground-plan of this No. 2 pit are given on Plate II., from
drawings and measurements of our conductor, Mr. Holmes. On descend-
ing the pit the roof of chalk was reached at 60 feet; the roof was much
more substantial than that of No. 1 pit, being at least 6 feet in thickness,
and in consequence it was intact, except in one chamber, where a slight
fall had taken place. The extreme depth of the shaft was 80 feet, giving
access to five large chambers, averaging 15 feet in height, varying from
30 to 40 feet in length, and from 10 to 12 feet in width. In the chamber
where the roof had partially fallen in, a small accessory chamber, only
to be entered by crawling through the opening on one's hands and knees,
had been excavated near one end; this our experts thought might be of
later date, and not necessarily designed by the original architects of the
pit, who appear to have had correct notions of symmetry and proportion.
The purity and comparative freshness of the atmosphere of the chambers
struck many with surprise. There was no indication of the presence of
the deadly " choke-damp," carbon dioxide, so commonly found in the
stagnant air of old wells and pits. Of course it was to be expected that
quantities of the gas would be set free in the decomposition of the
vegetable refuse fallen into the pit, but some of our chemical visitors
suggested that the damp chalk might itself absorb the gas as fast as set
free, forming a double carbonate of calcium (CaH2(CO3)2), such as is
supposed to be produced when carbon dioxide gas is passed in excess into
lime-water.
The chalk was in most parts as white as snow, and the innumerable
marks of the picks (metal ?) were as sharp as if just made. Many small
blocks of chalk had fallen from the roof, but in some places the original