ON RENTES CAVERN; DEVONSHIRE. 25 



Many of the bones are gnawed, some are more or less covered with films 

 of stalagmite, some are greatly discoloured, and a few have the aspect 

 of the remains found in the breccia beneath the old crystalline floor of sta- 

 higmite described in previous Reports. 



Taken as a whole, the osseous remains found since the Fifth Report (1869) 

 was presented are probably superior to those found in any former year. 



Instances of the commingling of ancient and recent remains occurred in the 

 North as well as iu the South Sally-port, but they were by no means so abun- 

 dant in the former as in the latter. 



In the branch of the cavern now under notice there were found seven flint 

 implements and flakes, of which one was in the black moul^i overlying the 

 stalagmite, one was in the first foot-level of cave-earth, two were in the se- 

 cond, two in the third, and one in the fourth foot-level. Three appear to 

 have been struck from common flint nodules, and are comparatively unim- 

 portant. The remainiijg four are good specimens, but one of them only 

 (No. 5124) needs description. It is ovate, worked to an edge aU round its 

 perimeter, 2*7 inches long, 1"6 inch in greatest breadth, and "3 inch in greatest 

 thickness. The bulb of percussion is weU displayed on the inner surface, 

 which is concave in every direction, but especially in that of its greatest axis. 

 The outer surface is convex, or, rather, is formed of a series of distinct ap- 

 proximately plane surfaces, which concur to give it a considerable convexity. 

 There are indications of a great amount of work along the entire margin on 

 its outer face. Its colour is a veiy light grey, inclining to white ; but there are 

 indications of a dark interior. It was found with a tooth of Hyaena, a tooth 

 of Rhinoceros, bones, and balls of fsecal matter. May 24, 1870, in the 

 first foot-level of cave-earth, about 40 feet from the external entrance. 



Of the seven specimens, five were foimd nearer to the external than to the 

 internal entrance, and one (No. 5165), a small but good specimen, was no 

 more than 15 feet from it. 



Two of the bones found in this branch of the cavern appear to have been 

 cut artificially. The first (No. ^ ^^ ^ ) was found December 22nd, 1869, with 

 remains of Badger, Fox, Horse, Hyaena, Ox, and Rhinoceros, 24 feet from the 

 internal entrance, in the fourth foot-level of cave-earth, over which was a 

 continuous floor of stalagmite 12 inches thick. 



The second (No. -^-^j^) was found about 47 feet from the same entrance, 

 on January 24th, 1870, with remains of Elephant, Horse, Hyaena, and 

 Rhinoceros, in the second foot-level of cave-earth, over which there was no 

 stalagmite. 



Of the fish-bones which have been found, one (No. 5036) appears to have 

 been pointed and used as a pin or awl. It was met with on ApiTil 21st, 1870, 

 in the second foot-level of cave-earth, which was not covered with stalag- 

 mite, rather nearer to the internal than the external entrance. 



The exploration of the North SaUy-port was begun on November 12th, 

 1869 ; and in something more than eight months the workmen had dug their 

 way through it. The new entrance was reached on July 19th, 1870. There 

 are, however, one or two of its ramifications which are not yet excavated, 

 having been passed intentionally in the progress of the work. Hoav far they 

 extend is at present unknown. 



The Extn-nal 3Iout7i of the North SaTly-po7-t. — -Though the Superintendents 

 have no doubt that the North SaUy-port really has an external entrance, 

 the workmen have not dug their way to the day at the so-called new mouth. 

 The following is the evidence on the question : — During eight months the 

 direction of excavation had on the whole been outwards, i. e. towards the 



