334 



THE TEOGLODYTES. 



a feast. This mode of consolation has been continued from age to age, 

 even down to the present time. 



At present only one burial-place of the troglodytes of the V^zere is 

 known — that of Crouiaguon. It is a hollow rock, not a cave. Near the 

 bodies were placed some flint instruments and ornaments of shells, but 

 there is no trace of a closing stone. 



The government of the troglodytes was hierarchically organized. 

 There were dignitaries of several degrees of importance. The proofs of 

 such organization are found ouly in the localities of the latest period : 

 the Eyzies, Lower Laugerie, and the Madelaine. They consist of cer- 

 tain large pieces of the horn of the reindeer, carefully formed, and gen- 

 erally called rulers' staves or batons. They are very numerous, and of 

 a uniform type. Their entire surface is richly ornamented with various 

 designs, representing figures of animals, or hunting scenes. The care 

 taken to make them as thin as possible, in proportion to their width, 

 shows that lightness, and not strength, was desired. Most of them, 

 not all, have, in one of their extremities, round holes, varying in num- 

 ber from one to four. (See Figs. 19 and 20.) The destination of these 



Fig. 21. 



Fi£. 19. 



Fiff. 20. 



SsQ^^t^XuL 



Fig. 19. — Ruler's stave or baton, witli one hole, reduced to one-tliird. Fig. 20. — The 

 same, with four holes, reduced to one-third. Fig. 21. — The pogamagan of the Esqui- 

 maux, reduced to one-fourth. 



