PALEOLITHIC RACES 521 



less strongly folded. This species was more nearly allied to 

 the Indian than the African elephant. 



Its companion, the woolly rhinoceros (R. tichorliiiius), was 

 also well protected from the weather by a coat of fine wool 

 and long hair. The woolly rhinoceros was armed with two 

 large horns, which stood one behind the other over the nose: 

 the larger sometimes reached a length of three feet. To carry 

 the weight of this the septum between the nostrils was con- 

 verted into bone, and this more complete ossification of the nasal 

 septum is one of the features which distinguishes the woolly 

 rhinoceros from Rhinoceros leptorhinus. 



The incoming of this new fauna points unmistakably to a 

 change in climate. A fresh strain was put upon the faculties 

 of primitive man, who had now not only wild beasts to contend 

 with, but an increasing severity of the seasons, especially in 

 winter. Perhaps it was for this reason that he began to make 

 his home in caverns. 



The Moustcrian Stage 



The Mousterian industry is not quite so sharply defined as 

 could be wished. It is characterised in the first place by the 

 absence of the Acheulean boucher, although, unfortunately, this 

 absence is not absolute; and next, by the abundant presence 

 of the Mousterian point. In making this the operator began 

 by dressing the face of the intended point while it still formed 

 part of the parent nodule or nucleus. This done, it was 

 struck off by a single blow with a stone hammer along a face 

 parallel to that already dressed. As a consequence this second 

 face, which is destitute of secondary chipping, is always marked 

 by a bulb of percussion ; that is, by the central swelling of a 

 concentrically wavy surface (conchoidal surface) marking the spot 

 where the final blow detached the flake from the block. The 

 Mousterian point varies considerably in size — two and a half 

 inches is about the average length, but the maximum is about 

 six inches. The edges are often carefully retouched. The 

 larger examples might be regarded as a refined form of the 

 boucher. 



The scraper of the Mousterian stage possesses certain 

 special features, generally presenting a finely worked curvilinear 

 edge. 



The industry takes its name from the cavern of Le Moustier, 



34 



