The object of this paper is to draw attention to certain archæological problems which, at the present time, have an important bearing upon the study of prehistoric man in England.

Most archæologists are familiar with the pieces of tabular flint exhibiting human flaking, of a rough and primitive kind, along one or other of their edges, which Benjamin Harrison found, many years ago, in and upon the highest portions of the plateau of Kent. It is my purpose in this note, to discuss the geological, and cultural age of these specimens, and to endeavour to show that they represent the most ancient as well as the most primitive flint implements yet discovered.

Though there is very good reason to suppose that the eoliths of the Kent Plateau (the term “eolith” should be confined solely to these specimens, and to those of the same type found elsewhere), as is the case with others found in similar situations in different parts of the country, are of a great antiquity, it is nevertheless clear that, having not yet been discovered at these places, under any geologically datable deposit, the exact measure of that antiquity remains unknown.