1823.] Mr. Weaver on Fossil Human Bones. 25 



of the ancient world being found intermingled without order with 

 those of recent species, and with human bones, in the loam 

 which occupies the cavities of the lower floetz gypsum in the 

 vicinity of Kbstritz, demanded the most careful investigation. 

 The offer, therefore, of the Privy Counsellor Rudolphi in Berlin, 

 a naturalist of experience and high repute, to compare and 

 determine with exactness the nature of these bones, was highly 

 acceptable ; and I feel deeply indebted to that gentleman for his 

 valuable services on the occasion.* The true character of seve- 

 ral of the bones was so distinct as to require no further compa- 

 rison ; but it became necessary to transmit the far greater num- 

 ber to Berlin. Of these the largest portion has been most accu- 

 rately determined, a few only remaining of a doubtful nature. In 

 the mean time, I have received several packages from Kbstritz, 

 among which are some specimens that may require a careful 

 examination ; and of these I shall not fail to give a fuller 

 account on a future opportunity. 



Of man, the following fragments of bones have hitherto been 

 dug up : 



1. The os frontis, extending to the orbits of the eyes. 



2. The upper maxillae, in two corresponding halves, in which, 

 with the exception of the incisors, all the teeth are perfectly 

 preserved, differing in no wise from the recent. 



3. A fragment of the lower jaw, with the molar teeth. 



4. The left humerus. 



5. The right femur. 



6. The upper half of the left femur. 



7. The left side of the pelvis of a man. 



8. A fragment of one of the true ribs. 



9. Single fragments of thigh and arm bones. 



All these pieces are contained in my collection, and betray a 

 great antiquity, although they have not all undergone a change 

 in an equal manner. Some of them have lost their animal gluten, 

 and are even penetrated with gypsum (as is the case also with a 

 considerable portion of the other animal bones), while others are 

 only slightly calcined and decomposed. This varying condition 

 of the bones is likewise observable in all the fossil bones of 

 Kbstritz. 



Of the animal remains generally admitted to have belonged to 

 inhabitants of the ancient world, the most numerous met with 

 near Kbstritz are those of the rhinoceros, although, upon the 

 whole, they are of rare occurrence. Of the elephas primigenus, 

 the mastodon, and other gigantic land animals, no remains have 

 hitherto been found in that vicinity. 



* The Court Counsellor Oken also had the goodness to favour me with several obser- 

 vations on these bones, which have been confirmed in part by those of Rudolphi 

 Whether the supposition of the former gentleman, that the human hones found near 

 Kiistritz are the remains of the Gothic race, the ancient inhabitants of Germany, be 

 well founded, must be left for the decision of future experience. 



