containing Fossil Bones. 285 



successful. A superficial examination has already allowed us 

 to recognize more than twenty species. At the moment of 

 uncovering the bones, they are singularly soft. Even teeth 

 which appear well preserved do not resist a slight pres- 

 sure. Exposure to the air soon hardens them. The earth in 

 which they lie is reddish, and is formed of horizontal layers of 

 clay and sand. It extends about twenty -five or thirty feet in 

 length, with a depth of nine or ten, and its breadth a little 

 less. The bones are most abundant near the rock. A further 

 proof of the current of water before spoken of is a branch 

 of twenty feet long, with an opening of three feet, containing 

 a great quantity of bones, and but little mud. 



It is worthy of remark that not the smallest fragment of 

 human bone has been found. 

 ' Subjoined is a note of the species hitherto recognized. 



Hyena, (two varieties,) Bat, Deer, 



Lion, Rabbit, Ox, 



Wild Cat, Hare, Sheep, 



Bear, Mouse, Shark, 



Dog, Rhinoceros, Sea Tortoise, 



Fox, Horse, TarsusofaWadingbird. 



Badger, Wild Boar, (two varieties,) 



In all twenty-one species. 

 ^ M. Marvel de Serres possesses lions' teeth got in the first 

 search. A young man, who is publishing a vvork on fossil 

 bones, says he has a lion's lower jaw from the same source. 

 I have not seen these specimens, and feel surprised that the 

 careful searches made under my own direction have not dis- 

 covered any similar ones. 



The hyenas' bones are numerous. They consist in skulls and 

 jaws (upper and under) nearly entire, long bones, teeth, ver- 

 tebrae, &c. The heads display the prominent sagittal crest ' 

 peculiar to this animal, a zygomatic arch of great strength, 

 aiid a corresponding depression for the reception of an enor- 

 mous masseter muscle. The appearance of this part gives a 

 high idea of the masticatory power of the hyena. 



The bones of the bear are more rare. They have been prin- 

 cipally found in a cavity situated in the same calcareous mass 

 as the principal cavern, but having no communication with it. 

 They consist of grinders and canine teeth, and parts of jaws. 



The insectivora are Vcspertilios, of which 6ne variety is re- 



