96 iSpeiicer and Walcott : 



investigat; iis on the spot led us seriously to doubt this original 

 surmise. In the first place the bones in the patches disclosed 

 were not accompanied by the concomitants of an aboriginal 

 camp, and, more important still, many of the fragments ob- 

 tained showed unmistakable evidence of the fact that some 

 powerful predatory animal had been at work on them. 



The most striking feature in connection with them is the 

 peculiar fragmentary nature of almost all the specimens, which 

 vary in length from 12-170 mm., only one, however, attaining 

 anything like the latter dimensions. Even such teeth as were 

 found, were, with the few exceptions mentioned below, broken 

 into small fragments and scattered through the clay. 



Amongst the bones the only perfect specimens consist of two 

 phalanges, but three others are nearly complete. Besides these, 

 there are four more specimens sufficiently perfect to permit 

 identification. TTiey are all parts of metatarsals, two being 

 the proximal ends of the fourth metatarsal of individuals of 

 the genus M<uyropvs^ the larger agreeing in size with that of 

 M. titan, and the smaller with those of our largest living 

 kangaroos. One of the other two is the distal end of a fifth 

 metatarsal of the size of that of FalurcJiestes azael, the other 

 being somewhat smaller. All of the bones are mature. In 

 addition to these, two molar and two incisor teeth of a small 

 wombat were found, but not in direct association with other 

 bones, and a claw bone remarkable for its large size and lateral 

 compression. From the merest cursory examination it is 

 obvious that the fragmentary condition of the specimens is not 

 due to natural causes. If man had broken the bones to obtain 

 the marrow — ^and there is no evidence to show that there 

 could have been any other reason for his breaking them — three 

 things would be noticed. 



In the first place percussion marks would be present. Next, 

 the bones would be completely broken up, more particularly 

 longitudinally, to enable the marrow to be readily extracted. 

 Lastly, only those which contained marrow would be treated in 

 this manner. 



In only one instance can any indications whatever be seen of 

 marks which might be attributed to a natural stone or stone 

 implement, such as would be used by the natives for bone- 

 breaking. On one edge of the specimen referred to there is the 



