59 



3. Oval or almond-shaped implements with a cutting edge all 

 round, possibly used as sling-stones or as axes (fig. 1). 



Mr. Evans points out, that in form and workmanship those of the 

 two last classes differed essentially from the implements of the so- 

 called Celtic period, which are usually more or less ground and 

 polished, and cut at the wide and not the narrow end ; and that had 

 they been found under any circumstances, they must have been 

 regarded as the work of some other race than the Celts, or known 

 aboriginal tribes. He fully concurs with Mr. Prestwich, that the 

 beds of drift in which they were found were entirely undisturbed. 



X. " Observations on the Discovery in various Localities of the 

 Remains of Human Art mixed with the Bones of Extinct 

 Races of Animals." By CHARLES BABBAGE, Esq., M.A., 

 P.R.S. &c. Received May 26, 1859. 



Statements have recently been made relative to the discovery of 

 works of human art occurring in a breccia amongst bones of ancient 

 animals, hitherto supposed to have been extinct long anterior to the 

 existence of our race. These observations are supposed by some to 

 prove the great antiquity of the human race ; whilst others, equally 

 competent to form an opinion, admit that the intermixture of such 

 remains presents a most perplexing mystery. 



Whatever may be the result of yet unpublished or of future and 

 more extensive observations, it is certainly premature to assign this 

 great antiquity to our race, as long as the occurrence of such mix- 

 tures can be explained by known causes admitted to be still in 

 action. 



Two places have recently been pointed out in which such mixtures 

 are stated to occur : 1st, certain localities in France ; 2nd, certain 

 caves in Sicily. The latter have been visited by Dr. Falconer, and 

 as the information respecting them which we at present possess, 

 though small, is yet much more definite than what is known of the 

 French locality, my explanations will chiefly relate to the latter. 



It is stated that one of the Sicilian caves has its sides perforated 

 by marine animals. 



That on penetrating the stalactitical incrustation covering the 



