Traces of Troglodytes. 299 



measure, of the cave explored. The fireplace had 

 usually been beyond the projecting roof, and when 

 the back of the room or cave was reached, no trace 

 of charcoal could be found. Certainly, a cave 

 would be sure to attract an Indian's attention. 

 The Lenape name for them is wdloh, and the fact 

 that such a word was in their language is signifi- 

 cant, for they had a word, too, for a hole in the 

 ground, and drew the same distinction that we do. 

 That such natural shelters were often utilized is a 

 fact worth knowing, and how far cave- dwelling 

 was a feature of our Delaware Indians remains to 

 be determined. But we are dealing now with 

 what has transpired since man first appeared upon 

 the scene, and how many caves may be filled with 

 glacial debris, upon the floors of which rest the 

 remains of feasts of primitive man, of the Indian's 

 remote ancestry ! Perhaps we are wandering too 

 far from solid ground and may find ourselves 

 immersed in the quicksands of theory. Fearing 

 this, I retrace my steps, and, standing, as the sun 

 goes down, at the mouth of the cave that has 

 been so rudely disturbed to-day, I recall the old- 

 time occupants that have rested here, and dimly 



