47

Oct 2d 80/

Examined specimens of Brick-castings sent yesterday by Farrer — Those on surface of road are almost or quite as well rounded as those [taken] out of castings, but many of them only have passed through intestine of worms during last 5 or 6 years — I suppose that particles in a moss crushed by wheels &c &c have angles broken off, & then a little rolling wd round them. The comparison was made with the castings on border of road, & now covered with a little mould & turf — see I of Farmers' folio list.

The best cases of rounding (see 2 & 3 pill-boxes & Farmers list) are those from over gravel-walk & over hole in field, but then it is possible that the brick rubbish before being here placed was much walked over — Viz in [illeg] that all bits shd have been then rounded — It may be that worm select rounded bits; but this is opposed by shape of fragment in worms' gizzards. — Bit of mortar are especially well rounded. The fragment of concretion from castings on floor of Roman villa (no. 4 of Farmers' list) show the same or rather greater amt of attrition. I still believe in attributing worms, but cannot be sure without seeing that by round fragments given them.