Liverpool Mercury
Friday, 3rd September, 1824
Discovery Of Stag's Horns Under The Bed Of Wallasey Pool
The labourers engaged in excavating the bed of Wallasey Pool, for the purpose of making a wet dock, have lately discovered several fine stag's horns in the most perfect state of preservation, which is surprising when we consider the length of time they must necessarily have been buried. We shall forbear to indulge in conjecture respecting the period when these remains of former days were deposited in this spot. At that time, it is probable, that what is now termed Wallasey Pool was part of a wood or forest, as, in the neighbourhood, the remains of large trees are frequently found at different depths below the surface, and also out of the ground. These vegetable remains are of very dark colour; some as black as coal, and so hard, that the farmers use them as gate posts. The horns were found nearly thirty feet below the bed of the pool. The specimen which has been committed to our care, for public inspection, consists of a single and very perfect antler, so hard as almost to defy the file. It weighs three pounds and a half, and is very elegantly branched. We had almost omitted stating >>
a circumstance, which, if true, is fully as extraordinary as the discovery of the animal remains; and we doubt not, that some of our antiquarian readers will endeavour to ascertain whether it be in fact, as reported, that the workmen evident traces of an ancient road having once existed, twenty or thirty feet below the bed of the Wallasey Pool.
We have been favoured with the following note from a specific gentleman of this town, whose opinion we requested respecting the recently discovered horns :-
DEAR SIR, -- The horns found at Wallasey Pool undoubtedly belong to a stag, very similar to the stag of the present day (Cervus Elaphus). From their solidity, thickness, roughness, and the size of their antlers, they seem to have belonged to a full grown animal, that fed plentifully. Though extremely dense, and of considerable thickness, they cannot be considered as large. I have seen longer horns on the stag of these islands; and the magnificent horns in the Museum of the Royal Institution (I think between three and four feet high) are those of the American stag.
The horns found at Wallasey have been regularly shed, and their points have been polished by use. They are not in a fossil state, but retain their animal matter. -- Yours, etc. T.S.T
Sept.1.1824
The horns may been seen for a few days at our office.