amount of time occupied in the formation of these deposits, and of the lapse of time since the last of them was formed. The newest of them belongs certainly to the age of polished stone, and the earliest also probably comes within the Neolithic period. We have already seen that within the period represented by the submerged forests there has been a rise of the sea-level, or depression of the land, to the extent of 80 feet, perhaps a few feet more. If we can obtain some measure of the time occupied in the formation of such a series of deposits, this should give us some idea as to the length of the Neolithic period, and also of the rate at which changes of the sea-level sometimes can take place.
It is unfortunate that for these calculations so many of the factors are of uncertain value. We may estimate from the present rate of erosion of the coast the amount that has been lost since the sea-level became stationary, or we may take the rate of accumulation of sand-dunes or shingle-spits; or the rate at which our estuaries, harbours, and broads are silting up. It all comes, however, to this—no exact figures can be given; but so many rough calculations lead to approximately the same date, that the date arrived at may be trusted to give some idea of the length of the period which has elapsed since the downward movement ceased.
Working backwards from the present day, step by
