278 PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



the Cavern of Bize, on the Aude, in France ; others discovered 

 by Martin de Serre, in the Caves of Poudres and Sauvignargues, 

 all verified by Cuvier. Next, similar bones found by Boue, at 

 Lahr, on the Rhhie ; again at Liege, on the Meuse ; and, finally, 

 of some found at Torquay, as admitted by the Rev. Mr. Mc 

 Enery. From these and other facts, particularly that referring to 

 the discovery of human bones carefully packed, and some even 

 covered with flat stones, in the Cavern of Breignes, in France, in 

 which were found also remains of rhinoceros, &c., the lecturer 

 assumed that man existed in Western Europe at the same time 

 with several species of mammiferoe now entirely extinct, or who 

 have congeners only at great distances from this quarter of the 

 globe : but as numerous caves have been found containing these 

 bones without those belonging to human beings, that man was as 

 yet very thinly scattered in these countries. That the Cavern of 

 Breignes seems to indicate the increase of man and the decrease 

 of the now extinct species, the fragments of the latter in this 

 place being perhaps remains of sacrifices offered on the inhuma- 

 tion of the former. That the human bones, being found with 

 shards of pottery and flint knives in several places, appear to have 

 belonged to a race in a savage state, and tlierefore not to Celtae, 

 who were merely barbarians, not savages. Finally, tliat the period 

 referred to is not necessarily so remote as geologists might at first 

 sight be induced to presume. For the Cavern of Breignes being 

 in evident connexion with antique fortifications of a character ap- 

 proaching the Cyclopian form, shew they belonged to those savage 

 tribes which spread westward along the Mediterranean and occu- 

 pied Spain and southern Gaul anterior to the Celtee. 



To shew this connection the lecturer pointed out the different 

 styles of building which the most ancient nations of Europe have 

 left behind ; a difference which indeed may be in some measure 

 the result merely of a succession in point of the date of the ruins ; 

 but which, nevertheless, will at least serve to classify them in the 

 mind. He denominated the earliest, Cyclopian, and characterized 

 it by the constructions being composed of huge, unhewn stones, 

 placed upon each other on their broader surfaces, and the inter- 

 stices filled up with smaller stones. Such are the walls and gal- 

 leries of Hassan Cale, Kala Kulistan, &c., in Persia and Asia 

 Minor, of Tirynthus and Cichyrus, in Greece, of Mt. Cynthus, 

 in Delos, of Tadinadura and Torre dei Giganti, in Malta^ &c., 

 and perhaps those above the Caverns of Breignes. 



