The Stone Ages of South Africa. 153 



where numerous human bones have been found and dug out, but 

 this place is now under cultivation, and consequently not worth 

 searching over." 



Mr. H. A. Fourcade, of Storms Eiver, not very far from Rob Berg, 

 adds his quota of observations, which, however, differ in a material 

 point, i.e., the posture of the skeleton, w^ith that of other searchers. 

 He wrote : — 



" As to your questions, I answer them seriatim. 



" 1. The skeletons were wrapped in a cover of ' sea-grass,' prol^ably 

 Zostera viaritima. I do not think that the skin of any animal was 

 added as a wrap ; traces of it would have been left. 



"2. The one or two skeletons, the original position of which could 

 be ascertained, were inhumed in a vertical position, as if they had 

 been sitting, and with the knees tucked up. 



" 3. I have not noticed any implement the situation of which 

 showed indubitably that they had been inhumed with the body. It 

 seemed, however, that the grave had been covered with a flat stone, 

 covered in turn with breccia debris." 



The "sitting posture" of at least one of the skeletons here 

 mentioned does not thus concord with the horizontal one noticed 

 l)y other observers. But Mr. Fourcade emphasises it, and it must 

 be remembered that the so-called up-country Bush people are said 

 to have been buried in a sitting position.'''- 



The news of Mr. R. E. Dumbleton's last successful search became 

 known, and some residents of Knysna, prompted by the fabulous 

 prices which rumour had proclaimed were obtainable for Bush 

 skeletons, set to work to investigate all the caves and shelters 

 that could be discovered. Several skeletons were found, but 

 obtained in a manner that forbids any subsequent attempt at 

 ascertaining the stratification of the caves. Mr. R. Atkinson, from 

 whom we obtained two such relics, supplied me kindly, at my 

 request, with the following information, which to a great extent 

 corroborates that of Mr. Durableton, as well as that of Mr. J. S. 

 Henkel. 



* See L. Peringuey, "Rock Engravings of Animals and the Human Figure" 

 (Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, xviii., 1909, p. 4). 



" Some years ago, in digging a grave, the workmen came across a human 

 skeleton at the depth of 3 feet. Judging from the manner of burial, //( a 

 sittitig j^C'^ii'on, we supposed it to be a Bushman grave" (Rev. Westphal). 



" I was told by an old Bushman that it was not the custom to bury the body 

 deep. It was generally put in a sitting position, the legs being doubled up, pressed 

 against the body, and the head bent forward before rigor ntortis set in " (J. G. 

 Connan). 



