278 ORGANIC REMAINS. 



From the facts above stated, it would appear, that the animals 

 whose bones have been discovered in the cavern, never lived there ; 

 and that their bones have been floated into it, in a shattered state, 

 previous to the deposition of the alluvial covering. The same remarks 

 may be applied to the relics in the German caves, and to those in 

 the rock of Gibraltar, and in similar situations. These relics, with 

 others found in alluvial beds, such as those discovered by Mr. Parkin- 

 son, at Walton, in Essex, have probably been all deposited at the 

 same era. What that era was, will be considered in Part Third. 



Kirkdale cavern is not the only fissure containing fossil bones, 

 discovered in England. An instance of the same kind occurred a few 

 years ago, in the limestone, near Plymouth ; and the Rev. Professor 

 Buckland, whose politeness we are bound to acknowledge, informs 

 us, that he has recently found a similar deposit of bones in a cavern 

 near Swansea. We are inclined to think, that other instances have 

 occurred, which have not attracted the notice of the learned. Twenty 

 years ago, or more, a fissure in the oolite was found a little to the 

 north of Kirkby Moorside, containing great quantities of bones. The 

 bones were presumed to be those of men and horses, and their accu- 

 mulation there was considered as the result of a battle, and no further 

 investigation took place. 



We cannot close this part of our Work, without expressing our 

 astonishment, at the rich variety and beauty of the animal remains 

 discovered in our strata. Here, as in the living creation, the works 

 of the Deity appear more beautiful and interesting, the more closely 

 they are examined. Whether we survey the largest, or the most mi- 

 nute; whether we contemplate those whose beauty is chiefly external, 

 as most shells; or those which are most beautiful in their internal 

 structure, as madrepores, we see matter for the highest admiration, 

 and the warmest praise. "Great and marvellous are thy works, 

 ILord God Almighty ! " 



