CHAP. X. RELATIVE ANTIQUITY OF AURIGNAC FOSSILS. 191 



with a small canal in each, believed to have served for the 

 insertion of poison ; also a needle of bird's bone, finely shaped, 

 with an eye or perforation at one end, and a stag's horn, on 

 which is carved a representation of a bear's head, and a hole 

 at one end as if for suspending it. In this figure we see, says 

 M. Lartet, what may perhaps be the earliest known example 

 of lines used to express shading. 



The fauna of the aurochs (Bison europceus) agrees with 

 that of the earlier lake dwellings in Switzerland, in which 

 hitherto the rein-deer is wanting ; whereas the rein-deer has 

 been found in a Swiss cave, in Mont Saleve, supposed by 

 Lartet to be more ancient than the lake dwellings. 



According to this view, the mammalian fauna has undergone 

 at least two fluctuations since the remains of some extinct 

 quadrupeds were eaten, and others buried as funeral gifts 

 in the sepulchral vault of Aurignac. 



As to the absence of any marked changes in the physical 

 configuration of the district since the same grotto was a place 

 of sepulture, we must remember that it is the normal state 

 of the earth's surface to be undergoing great alterations in 

 one place, while other areas, often in close proximity, remain 

 for ages without any modification. In one region, rivers 

 are deepening and widening their channels, or the waves 

 of the sea are undermining cliffs, or the land is sinking 

 beneath or rising above the waters, century after century, or 

 the volcano is pouring forth torrents of lava or showers of 

 ashes ; while, in tracts -hard by, the ancient forest, or extensive 

 heath, or the splendid city continue scatheless and motionless. 

 Had the talus which concealed from view the ancient hearth 

 with its cinders and the massive stone portal of the Aurignac 

 grotto escaped all human interference for thousands of years 

 to come, there is no reason to suppose that the small stream 

 at the foot of the hill of Fajoles would have undermined it. 

 At the end of a long period the only alteration might have 



