12 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXVI. 



been found in several places, and from the village of Moustier, 

 situated at the foot of a chalk cliff in the upper valley of the 

 River Vezere, has been derived the term " Moustierian," used by 

 archaeologists to indicate an age of civilization. In the same 

 neighbourhood are the caves of the Eyzies, which are decorated 

 with designs that go back to the reindeer age. Near the village 

 of Chapelle-aux-Saints, in the department of Correze, in a cave at 

 the depth of about two feet, were found the remains of a skull, so 

 complete that it lias been possible to reconstruct it without the 

 necessity of the restorer supplying any missing parts. The skull 

 was associated with chipped flints and the bones of reindeer and 

 bisons. A fresh discovery at Moustier has thrown further light 

 on the life of those ancient days. After finding large quantities 

 of cut flints in a cave, the workmen unearthed some fragments of 

 bone, which careful examination proved to be parts of a human 

 skeleton, but though extreme care was taken many of the bones 

 fell to dust as soon as they were exposed. However, portions of 

 the skull and other bones were secured, from which it is surmised 

 that the remains are those of a young man about eighteen years 

 of age and four feet ten and a quarter inches high. From the 

 position of the remains it seems probable that the body had 

 received a primitive burial, for along with it were found a pointed 

 flint dagger, remarkably well cut, and a well-formed scraper, while 

 around were numerous bones of oxen, some of which were partly 

 calcined. It is almost impossible to ascribe even an approximate 

 date to this skeleton, but, judging by recent observations of 

 denudation in Switzerland, &c., it seems permissible to reckon 

 its age at 400,000 years. The Illustrated London News of 27th 

 February gives illustrations of the skulls, &c., published by 

 arrangement with U Illustration of Paris. 



The National Parks Association. — This Association, it 

 will be remembered, was inaugurated at a public meeting in the 

 Melbourne Town Hall in December last. Since that time the 

 executive, which is composed of representatives of the various 

 scientific societies of Victoria, has been steadily gathering 

 information as to desirable places for reservation, and, on the 5th 

 inst., waited on the hon. the Premier with its suggestions. The 

 deputation was most favourably received, and it is to be hoped 

 that the important work now started will not be allowed to flag 

 until something tangible results. 



Victorian Eucalypts. — The series of articles in Every 

 Saturday on eucalypts, with special reference to Victorian species, 

 has been continued during the month, and provides some useful 

 notes, the brevity of which is to be regretted. 



