240 HABITS OF THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 



great reason why we hear so much of jaw remains, and so little 

 of other bones/' No doubt it is so ; but these observations, 

 made by Prof. Steenstrup, afford a farther explanation of the 

 fact, and it is to be regretted that the parts of the long bones 

 which are most important to the palaeontologist are also those 

 which are preferred by beasts of prey. 



In every case the bones which contained marrow are split 

 open in the manner best adapted for its extraction ; this 

 peculiarity, which is in itself satisfactory proof of the presence 

 of man, has not yet been observed in bones from the true 

 tertiary strata. 



The Kjokkenmoddings were not mere summer quarters ; 

 the ancient fishermen resided on these spots for at least two- 

 thirds, if not the whole of the year. This we learn from an 

 examination of the bones of the wild animals, as it is often 

 possible to determine, within very narrow limits, the time of 

 year at which they are killed. For instance, the remains of 

 the wild swan (Gygnus musicus) are very common, and this 

 bird is only a winter visitor, leaving the Danish coast in 

 March, and returning in November. It might naturally have 

 beeu hoped that the remains of young birds would have sup- 

 plied evidence as to the spring and early summer, but unfor- 

 tunately, as has been already explained, no such bones are to 

 be found. It is therefore fortunate that among the mammalia 

 two periodical phenomena occur ; namely, the shedding and 

 reproduction of stags' antlers, which, with slight variations 

 according to age, have a fixed season; and, secondly, the birth 

 and growth of the young. These and similar phenomena 

 render it highly probable that the "mould-builders" resided 

 on the Danish coast all the year round, though I am disposed 

 to think that, like the Fuegiaiis, who lead, even now, a very 

 similar life, they frequently moved from spot to spot. This 

 appears to me to be indicated not only by the condition of 

 the deserted hearths, but by the colour of the flint flakes, etc. ; 



