On the NattimtJtistorij of the A usiruUan Bone Cai>6s. 96SF' ' 



Tbe lioiestone re»l$'t>h granite, and generally near, dr under, 

 trap-roek. In the particular 8p)t whence these specimens are 

 brought (Wellington Valley), the rock, partially denuded, 

 bounds an extensive allurial flat, through which the River BfctI 

 runs, this being a branch of the river Macquarrie, wh^th it 

 joins seven miles below. Beyond, or above the limestone, on 

 one side, the hills enclosing the valley consist ertlireljr of trtlj^"'"' 

 rockAMii Those on the other rise higher, and consist of the'oftl"^ 

 red' sandstone (Hne grained, with tendency to crystal lizati^n^^;' 

 and passing, as the hills rise backward, into a conglomerate of 

 water-worn pebbles strongly cemented, and so much inclined', 

 that the rock terminates the summits in sharp rocky crests. 



Throughout the country, the limestone occurs adjoining alliii 

 vial flats, the hills above consisting of trap. In the parts most 

 denuded, openings are found leading to caves, some of which are 

 spacious, with varied foiws of stalactites, sometimes dis|^osed in a 

 very picturesque manner. The floor generally consists of a' soffe 

 red earth, apparently diluvial, but in whichj after digging, few 

 or no Ikjucs have been found, none having as yet been dug up 

 where the floor has been encrusted with stalagmite. The'ert^- 

 trance is generally in the side of the rock and gently inclined. The 

 holes where the osseous breccia occurs are generally near such 

 caves, yet separate from them ; the mouths (in three cases in 

 different parts of the country) appearing like jVits, and as if 

 formed by the rocks and earth sinking or sliding downwards. 

 The interior of these holes presents a striking contrast to the un- 

 broken harmony of the other kind of caves. Here disjointed 

 masses of rock hang sus|->ended in this remarkable red cement, 

 which is sometimes as hard as limestone, and which is never with- 

 out bones embedded. Frequently these occur so fixed between 

 large rocks, that it is quite imjiossible to get them out ; and in- - 

 deed, in general, none can Ix? got in an entire state from the 

 matrix, being, in their embedded state, full of fractures; and it 

 is remarkable, that the few large bones at all perfect, have been 

 found projecting from the upper surface of the breccia ; from 

 which circumstance, and the peculiar outward texture (some- p 

 thing resembling the clay of a swallow^s nest), it would appear 

 that this cement never was so soft since mixed with the bones, as 

 to admit of the larger bones sinking downwards in it. In such 



