1859.] PA1C0NBE GROTTA DI MACCAGNONE. L05 



thin ; having invariably a conchoidal smooth surface below, and above 

 a longitudinal ridge, bevelled off right and left, or the ridge replaced 

 by a concave facet, in the latter case presenting three facets on the 

 upper side. The author is of opinion that they closely resemble, in 

 eveiy detail of form, obsidian knives from Mexico, and flint knives 

 from Stonchenge, Arabia, and elsewhere, and that they appear to 

 have been formed, by the dislamination, as films, of the long angles of 

 prismatic blocks of stone. These fragments occur, intimately inter- 

 mixed with the bone-splinters, shells, etc., in the roof-breccia, in 

 very considerable abundance ; other amorphous fragments of flint 

 are comparatively rare, and no pebbles or blocks occur either within 

 or without the cave ; but similar reddish flint or chert is found in 

 the Hippurite-limestone near Termini. 



In regard to the theory of the various conditions observed in the 

 Maccagnone Cave, the author considers that it has undergone several 

 changes of level, and that the accumulation of bone-breccia below 

 and outside is referable to a period when the cave was scarcely above 

 the level of the sea. Dr. Falconer pointed out the significance of the 

 fact that, although Hyaena-coprolites were so abundant against the 

 roof and outside, none, or but very few, of the bones of Hyaenas were 

 observed in the interior ; he remarked also on the absence of the 

 remains of small mammalia, such as Rodents. He inferred that the 

 cave in its present form, and with its present floor, had not been 

 tenanted by these animals. The vast number of Hippopotami im- 

 plied that the physical condition of the country must have been 

 greatly different, at no very distant geological period, from what ob- 

 tains now. He considered that all deposits above the bone-breccia 

 had been accumulated up to the roof by materials washed in from 

 above, through sinuous crevices or flues in the limestone, and that the 

 appermosl layer, consisting of the breccia of shells, bone-splinters, 

 siliceous objects, burnt clay, bits of charcoal, and Hysena-coprolites, 

 had been cemented to the roof by stalagmitic infiltration. The 

 entire condition of the large fragile //< lices proved that the effect had 

 been produced by the tranquil agency of water, as distinct from any 

 tumultuous action. There was nothing to indicate that the different 

 objects in the roof-breccia wen other tlum of contemporaneous <>ri</>n ■. 

 subsequently a great physical alteration in the contour, alter- 

 ing the flow of superficial water ami of the subterranean springs, 



changed all the conditions previously existing, and emptied out the 

 whole of the loose Incoherent contents, leaving only the portions 

 agglutinated to the roof. The wreck of these ejects was visible in 

 the patches ,,\' •• Ceneri impastate," containing fossil bones, below the 

 mouth of the cavern. Thai a long period must have operated in 

 the extinction of the llyana. Cave-lion, ami other fossi] species, is 

 certain : but no index remains for it-- measurement. The author 

 would call the careful attention of cautious geologists t<> the infer- 

 ences : Thai the Ifaccagnone ( !ave was till* d up to the roof within 

 the human period, bo that a thick layer of bone-splinters, teeth, 



land-shells. Hyanas' CCproliteS, and human objects was agglu- 

 tinated to the roof 1>\ the infiltration of water holding lime in sola- 



