Chapter 6

William Pengelly's scientific explorations may be divided under three heads. The first was his minute and accurate examination of the deposits that form Bovey Heathfield, where there are layers of clay, sand, and lignite. He was able to extract numerous fossil plants, and thereby to determine the approximate age of the beds. Next he took up the exploration of ossiferous caves; and he began this work with that of Brixham, in Windmill Hill. The floor of this cavern was excavated in successive stages or layers, starti…