16 FOSSIL MAMMALIA. 



manic caves, and which, as we have already observed, equalled 

 the horse in magnitude. The bones of the elephant, rhinoceros, 

 and hippopotamus were found co-extensively with all the rest, 

 even in the inmost and smallest recesses. The teeth of deer of 

 two or three species are also numerous, but the most abundant 

 of all are those of the water-rat. 



The conclusion of the professor respecting this cave is, that 

 it was inhabited during a long succession of years previous to 

 the last general deluge, by hyaenas, and that they dragged into 

 it the other animal bodies whose remains are found there. The 

 bones are all comminuted and broken ; and many of them dis- 

 tinctly bear the impress of the canine fangs of the hyaena, 

 an animal whose appetite for bones and tremendous power in 

 fracturing them is well known. The professor considers, that, 

 at the period of the last general inundation, the floor of the 

 cave was covered with the diluvial loam and pebbles under 

 which these bones were found, and had been so long preserved 

 from decomposition by this covering of mud, and the coating 

 of stalagmite above it. Several other caverns and fissures have 

 been discovered in this country and in Wales, containing 

 osseous remains, the greater portion of which are referable to 

 the antediluvian era. Near Wirksworth, in Derbyshire, in a 

 cave called Dream Cave, was found the skeleton of a rhinoceros, 

 nearly entire. At Oreston, near Plymouth, three deposits 

 were found of a similar nature, containing great quantities of 

 bones. In the cave of Paviland, in Glamorganshire, were 

 found remains of elephant, rhinoceros, horse, hog, bear, 

 hyaena, &c. In this cave, a human skeleton was also found ; 

 but its circumstances, position, state of preservation, &c., prove 

 it to be most clearly postdiluvian. 



From all the facts of this description which have been as- 

 certained, Dr. Buckland concludes, that previously to the last 

 general catastrophe, the extinct species of the hyaena, tiger, 

 bear, elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus, as also wolves, 

 foxes, oxen, deer, horses, and other animals not distinguishable 



