On Supposed Casts of Footprints in the Wealden

Abstract C ertain large trifid bodies, presenting a resemblance to the casts of the impressions of birds′ feet, are rather numerous in the cliffs to the east and west of Hastings (from the latter locality Mr. Beckles has obtained eight specimens), in a limestone containing Cyrencæ , remains of Lepidotus , but at about four miles east of Hastings, where the cliffs are about 200 feet high, the casts occur at about 40 feet above the sea-level. They were found in a stratum of rock, overlying a bed of clay; which latter having been removed by rain and weather, the casts appeared in relief on the under-surface of the rock, just as if they were hanging from the ceiling of a room. One detached block obtained at this place bears four of these trifid bodies in relief; they are arranged with the toes pointing in a uniform direction, so as to mark out a nearly perfect square. A distance of 2 ft. 7 in. separates the two in front, and 2 ft. 5 in. the hinder two: between the two on the right, from the toe of the hinder one to the heel of the foremost, there is a space of 2 ft. 3 in.; and between the other two the distance is less by nearly 2 inches. The largest specimen found has a length of 21 inches. The general uniformity of position and of character,—the constant presence of a middle or heel-like prominence and of three “toes,” the central one being always the longest, together with other uniform peculiarities,—have reference apparently to the connection of the origin of these trifid bodies with the foot-prints of birds or other animals. Some specimens, as for instance that of which a model was presented to the Society by Mr. Taggart in 1846†, have narrower “toes” than others.