158 FOSSIL KEMAINS OF MAN. 



this paper present characters ^vhich, although not decisive 

 as regards a geological epoch, are, nevertheless, such as 

 indicate a very high antiquity. It may also be remarked 

 that, common as is the occurrence of diluvial animal bones 

 in the muddy deposits of caverns, such remains have not 

 hitherto been met with in the caves of the JSTeanderthal ; 

 and that the bones, which were covered by a deposit of 

 mud not more than four or five feet thick, and without any 

 protective covering of stalagmite, have retained the great- 

 est part of their organic substance. 



These circumstances might be adduced against the 

 probability of a geological antiquity. ISTor should we be 

 justified in regarding the cranial conformation as perhaps 

 representing the most savage primitive type of the human 

 race, since crania exi^t among living savages, which, 

 though not exhibiting such a remarkable conformation of 

 the forehead, which gives the skull somewhat the aspect 

 of that of the large apes, still in other respects, as for in- 

 stance in the greater depth of the temporal fossae, the 

 crest-like, prominent temporal ridges, and a generally less 

 capacious cranial cavity, exhibit an equally low stage of 

 development. There is no reason for supposing that the 

 deep frontal hollow is due to any artificial flattening, such 

 as is practised in various modes by barbarous nations in 

 the Old and IS'ew "World, The skull is quite symmetrical, 

 and shows no indication of counter-pressure at the occiput, 

 whilst, according to Morton, in the Flat-heads of the Co- 

 lumbia, the frontal and parietal bones are always unsym- 

 metrical. Its conformation exhibits the sparing develop- 

 ment of the anterior part of the head which has been so 

 often observed in very ancient crania, and afibrds one of 

 the most striking proofs of the influence of culture and 

 civilization on the form of the human skull." • 



In a subsequent passage, Dr. Schaaflfhausen remarks : 



