384 BUKEAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 52 



Final Remarks on the Monte Hermoso Specimens 



The preceding pages show that the identification of the Monte 

 Hermoso atlas and femur as representing a human precursor, of 

 whatsoever age, is in no way sustained. 



In the first place the two specimens present a family difference and 

 can not be considered together, the atlas being human, the femur 

 carnivore. 



As to the atlas, the geologic evidence of the find is entirely unsatis- 

 factory, while the bone is not only thoroughly human but its charac- 

 teristics are in no instance beyond the range of individual variation 

 of the Indian atlas. Its identification as belonging to another species 

 of man rests on the unwarranted assumptions of its antiquity and of 

 the existence of such a species of man. It falls among the class of ill- 

 starred specimens wliicli have been dragged into the service of other- 

 wise unsupported notions relating to the dawn of human liistory, 

 only to be subsequently dropped of necessity into obscurity as having 

 no bearing on the subject. Its extraction is problematical, but even 

 if found in quite intimate relation with the real Monte Ilermosean 

 loess, it is not necessarily old. It may well have been derived from 

 the dune above the Monte Hermoso barranca, wliicli, as sliown 

 before, contains numerous traces of the modern native of the coast, 

 and which faU from the crumbling edge above the ledges into 

 pockets of the lower ancient formation. 



As to the femur, it must be relegated to some ancient branch of the 

 cat family or other related carnivore not as yet represented in col- 

 lections elsewhere, for the discovery of which due credit should be 

 given the most indefatigable and successful of South American col- 

 lectors, Carlos Ameghino. 



