Observations on the Geological Age of Bone-Caverns. 119 



(numerical or not) similarly connected. I say in general, 

 because perhaps the preferable view of the problem, which is 

 the object of our method, is to consider it as that of reducing 

 certain algebraic functions, whether they be supposed equal 

 to zero or not, to the form of a sum of algebraic powers. 



Should it be thought that in the present article I have dwelt 

 at unnecessary length on certain points, I should urge by way 

 of apology, that before it can be fairly estimated all knowledge 

 must be systematized. And I would add, that all knowledge 

 is probably capable of being so dealt with, to an extent of 

 which we can as yet form no idea. 

 2 Chiirch-yard Court, Temple, 

 November 8, 1847. 



XVIII. Observations on the Geological Age of Bone-Caverns^ 

 By Richard Payne Cotton, M.D., Member of the Royal 

 College of Physicians, London'-''^. 



''I^HE geological period during which the caves of England 

 formed the residences of wild beasts and cemeteries for 

 the bones of their victims as well as themselves, is a subject of 

 great interest, and can be best, if not exclusively ascertained, 

 by comparing their animal remains with those of sedimentary 

 deposits. 



If a cabinet collection of cave specimens be contrasted with 

 one of the Pleistocene freshwater formations, so great will 

 appear the excess in the former, of small animals allied to, or 

 identical with, those of our own times, that a date even more 

 modern than " Pleistocene" might reasonably be given them. 

 With a view of making a more just comparison, the following 

 table has been constructed, showing the living and extinct 

 animals common to both, and peculiar to each. 



• Communicated by the Author. 



