Mr. Weaver on the Fossil Elk of Ireland. 199 
the waters and the marshy land as a place of refuge from its 
enemies, and thus not unfrequently found a grave where it 
had looked for protection ? 
The foregoing conjecture appears supported by the following 
details of circumstances, observed by the Rey. Mr. Maunsell 
in the peat bog of Rathcannon, situated about four miles to 
the west of the town of Bruff, in the county of Limerick. 
This bog covers a space of about twenty plantation acres, oc- 
cupying a small valley, surrounded on every side by a ridge 
of the carboniferous or mountain limestone, except on the 
S.W., where it opens into an extensive flat. The peat is from 
one to two feet thick ; and beneath this is a bed of white shell- 
marl, varying from one foot and a half to two feet and a half 
in thickness, succeeded below by blueish clay marl, of an un- 
ascertained depth, but in one place it was found to exceed 
twelve feet. This blueish clay marl becomes white, and falls 
to powder on being dried. Coarse gravel is said to occur, 
partially at least, below the marl. 
In this small valley portions of the skeletons of eight indi- 
viduals were found, seven of adult, and one of a young ani- 
mal, all belonging to the gigantic elk. With these also oc- 
curred the pelvis of an adult animal, probably referable to the 
red deer; and the skull of a dog, of the size of that of an 
ordinary water-spaniel. 
The bones that were first discovered were found at the depth 
of two or three feet below the surface; and Mr. Maunsell 
had the advantage of seeing them before they were displaced. 
Most of the above-mentioned remains were lodged in the shell- 
marl; many of them, however, appeared to rest on the clay 
marl, and to be merely covered by the shell-marl. But part 
of some of the bones were immersed in the peat also: these 
were tinged of a blackish colour, and were so extremely soft, in 
consequence of the moisture they had imbibed, that it was 
with difficulty the horns found in this situation could be pre- 
served entire; yet, when carefully handled and allowed to dry, 
they became as firm and hard as the rest. 
Some of the bones of the elk showed marks of having been 
diseased; and one rib had evidently been broken, and after- 
wards reunited. Another rib exhibited a remarkable per- 
foration of an oval form, about half an inch long and one- 
eighth of an inch broad, the longer axis being parallel to the 
side of the rib; the margin of this opening was depressed on 
the outer, and raised on the inner surface; while a bony 
point projected from the upper edge of the rib, which deviated 
from its natural line of direction to an extent equal to the 
length of the aperture. The only cause that could ice 
- duce 
