FLINT IMPLEMENTS. 251 



These, the commonest sorts of flint implements, are found 

 indiscriminately in all the grottoes, but there are some other 

 types which appear to be less generally distributed. Thus, 

 at Laugerie and Badegoule, fragments of leaf-shaped lance- 

 heads, almost as well worked as some of those from Denmark, 

 are far from uncommon. If, therefore, we were to attempt 

 any classification of the grottoes, according to the periods of 

 their occupation, we might be disposed to refer these to a 

 somewhat later period than most of the others. On the con- 

 trary, to judge from the flint implements, the station at Le 

 Moustier would be the most ancient. Though it would per- 

 haps be premature to attempt any such classification, there 

 can be no doubt that Le Moustier presents some types not yet 

 found in the other caves, and resembling in some respects 

 those of the drift. 



One of these peculiar forms has one side left unchipped, and 

 apparently intended to be held in the hand, while the other 

 has a cutting edge, produced by a number of small blows. 

 Some of these instruments are of large size* and they are 

 supposed by MM. Christy and Lartet to have been used for 

 cutting wood, and perhaps also the large bones of mammalia- 

 Another very interesting type is figured over-leaf (figs. 131-3). 

 This specimen is worked on both sides, but more frequently 

 one of them is left flat. MM. Christy and Lartet regard 

 this type as identical with the "lance-head" implements 

 found in the drift. I cannot altogether agree with them 

 in this comparison. Not only are the Le Moustier specimens 

 smaller, but the workmanship is different, being much less 

 bold. Moreover, the flat surface (A) is no individual pecu- 

 liarity. It is very frequently, not to say generally, present, 

 and occurs also on the similar implement found by Mr. 

 Boyd Dawkins in the Hyaena den at Wokey Hole, and 

 figured by him in the Geological Journal, May, 1862, No. 

 70, p. 119. This very interesting type seems rather to be 



