288 ACCOUNT OF HUMAN BONES 



remarkable for the uncommon thickness of the squamous 

 portion, which just above the petrous part is nearly half an 

 inch through. I have seen, however, a recent skull thicker 

 than this. The mastoid portion is entire. 



The squamous and mastoid portions are invested externally 

 with a stalactitic deposit of carbonate of lime, looking very 

 much like mummified skin. The internal or cerebral sur- 

 face is wholly destitute of any incrustation : whether it was 

 filled with the gangue, or any other substance, I can not tell. 



The petrous portion is entire, with the exception of a frag- 

 ment near its point ; the part broken off extended from the 

 foramen innominatum obliquely to the upper orifice of the 

 carotic canal, of which the floor or lower wall is nevertheless 

 in a natural state. In every other respect it is whole. It is 

 proper to remark that along the upper limit of the specimen 

 an old fracture is to be seen, which was probably a fissure, 

 and filled with a greenish matter, probably some ferruginous 

 salt. The diploe is natural, having no lapidification whatever. 



No. 2 is part of the superior maxillary bone, exhibiting a 

 portion of its body with the alveoli and bony palate. To it is 

 attached a part of the os palati ; also three incisor teeth dis- 

 located from their alveoles, but held nearly in contact with 

 them by the gangue. Close to one of the teeth is a serpula 

 and a piece of oyster shell. 



No. 3 is part of the left greater wing of the sphenoid 

 bone. 



No. 4 is a remnant of the lower jaw, viz. the angle, the 

 condyloid and coronoid processes, and part of the ramus as 

 far forwards as the foramen for transmitting the nerve and 

 vessels. 



Nos. 5 & 6 are pieces of parietal bone. 



No. 7 is a piece consisting of broken ribs. 



No. 8 an incisor tooth remarkably worn by age. 



No. 9 a specimen of the rock of which the mound is com- 

 posed, and in which the skeletons are imbedded. It consists 

 of. fragments of shells united by a stalactitic matter. I beg 

 leave to point out small nodules of carbonaceous matter, which 



