CIjjj %Bm-€ixbt 0r Jfissiirc of 

 Jnrbljiim ^oimx. 



r?Y E. Wilson, F.G.S., Cuuatou op Tni5 Eristol Museum. 



r I THE object of this communication is to rescue from 

 -*- destruction tlio liistory of tlic exploration of tlio Bone 

 Cave or Fissure on Durdliam Down, from wliicli tlic very 

 interesting series of mammalian remains in tlie Bristol 

 Museum were obtained. 



Notwithstanding the comparatively brief period tliat lias 

 elapsed since those fissures were explored, it is absolutely 

 impossible, owing to the imperfection of the record, to give 

 anything like a complete account of the discoveries that 

 were then made. The fissure itself is no longer visible, and 

 its exact site is now lost. There is also some doubt as to 

 the authenticity of a portion of the animal remains, which 

 are somowluit doubtfully stated to have come fi'om tlio 

 Dnrdliara Down Cave. It must thei^eforo be understood 

 that the account hero given is avowedly imperfect, tlio 

 materials available for its construction being themselves so 

 imperfect. 



In the early part of 1842 * a large and important series of 



A much earlier discovery of foasil bones in a cavity of Mountain 

 LimcstoTui, " near (!lifton. by the turnpike-gate ou Durdliam Down," 



31 



