A HISTORY OF ESSEX carried on in forming new reservoirs for the East London Water Com- pany. 1 Though not, strictly speaking, found within the county of Essex, as now understood, its discovery in the border river bed may excuse reference here. It is hollowed out of a piece of oak, is nearly 15 feet long by 2 feet 4 inches in extreme breadth, and is i foot 4 inches in its extreme depth. A rib is left across (6 inches wide and 7 inches deep) at 8 feet from the stern, while nearer the bow a smaller rib has been left. These measurements are quoted from a note in the Reliquary (vol. vii.). In the Essex Naturalist (vol. xii.), is a full page illustration of the boat in situ at the excavations, with some particulars as to the geological conditions of the valley of the Lea. Our sketch of antiquities would not be complete without a chronicle of the British coins found in Essex, or relating to the county, were not that subject dealt with by another writer. In a separate chapter will be found our notes on the Ancient Earthworks. So far as those relics of antiquity are concerned which can be classed as palaeolithic, neolithic, bronze or late Celtic our task is accomplished, but it remains to notice the antiquities from the fascine dwellings at Braintree, which it is impossible at present to assign to a definite period, the question of its date awaiting the result of further examination. Our thanks are due to C. H. Read, Esq., F.S.A. ; W. Cole, Esq., F.L.S. ; to the curators of Colchester, Saffron Walden and Chingford Museums and others for permission to photograph objects ; and espe- cially to H. Laver, Esq., F.S.A., for ever-ready access to his valuable collection. FASCINE DWELLINGS AT BRAINTREE Near to the town of Braintree a mere or lake was in early times formed by the silting up of the stream now known as the Pod or Brain, and there below the accumulated alluvial soil traces of ' fascine ' dwelling places have been found. To the Rev. J. W. Kenworthy, vicar of Braintree, we are indebted for much information published in the Essex Naturalist (vol. xi.) as the result of some years watching of the excavations carried on for obtaining brickearth from the site. 2 It appears that an artificial floor was raised in the manner usual with fascine dwellings. ' To support and secure this artificial concretion, wooden stakes were driven into the ballast of the lake or river. Out- side the raised platform there was still water, in which the peaty mud has accumulated until it has levelled all up ; and it was no doubt into this water which surrounded the floor on which the huts were built that numerous relics fell or were swept by the dwellers. So large was the 1 This valuable relic has been secured for the British Museum. 2 In addition to Mr. Kenworthy's paper the journal contains valuable supplements archaeological by Mr. F. W. Reader and geological by Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S. 270
