

69 



formations of any date. If the cleft occurred in rock or in any 

 very hard material, traces of it would remain to indicate their origin . 

 If it occurred in clay or softer material, the track through which 

 these remains entered might he partially or even entirely obliterated. 

 If the cleft occurred in tolerably compact gravel and then imme- 

 diately closed, it would scarcely be possible at a future period to 

 trace its origin. 



The discussion of the recent observations of Mr. Prestwich on 

 flints, worked apparently by the hand of man, found deeply im- 

 bedded in ancient gravel, as well as the extensive observations of 

 Dr. Falconer on the bone-caves of Sicily, have given a new and 

 important interest to the great question of the antiquity of the resi- 

 dence of our race on the planet we inhabit. 



Having examined a few of these flint-instruments, I am satisfied 

 that several of them have been worked by human hands. This 

 opinion is founded upon the previous examination many years ago of 

 the mode then used for making gun-flints. 



Amongst the many valuable observations of Dr. Falconer, one 

 fact to which he testifies deserves the most marked attention, 

 and may possibly assist in directing us to the true solution of the 

 problem. 



Dr. Falconer has noticed the fact that the greater portion of these 

 bones belong to the Hippopotamus, and also that they occur in their 

 several deposits in enormous numbers. In each cave there must 

 have been several thousands, if not tens of thousands, of individuals. 

 The question immediately suggests itself, what causes produced this 

 vast collection of individuals of the same race entombed in one 

 common sepulchre ? 



It is scarcely possible to suppose that any instinct could have led 

 the Hippopotamus, when death approached, to have chosen particular 

 spots where the bones of his race were exposed to his view. If this 

 were so, then most probably the existing race would possess the same 

 instinct. 



Another question arises : Were these remains originally deposited in 

 different localities, and afterwards transported by some common cause 

 to these various caverns and beaches ? Water seems the only probable 

 mode of conveyance : if this were so, traces of the rolling action of 

 water must be found on all the bones, but this I apprehend is not 



