FOSSIL MAMMALIA. 13 



dentia. In the calcareous fresh-water formation of Volvic, ten 

 species ; — one ruminant, two anoplotheria, one palaeotheriura, 

 two rodentia, two carnivora, and two reptiles. In the similar 

 formation of Gergovia, four species ; — one anoplotherium, one 

 reptile, and two ornitholites. Nay, even as we write, these 

 discoveries are being prosecuted on the Continent and in Ame- 

 rica, with a zeal, assiduity, and success, unexampled in any 

 former era in the annals of science; nor can it be expected, by 

 any possibility, that a sketch like the present should embrace 

 them all. 



Phenomena not less astonishing than those on which we have 

 been hitherto commenting, are exhibited in certain ancient 

 caverns which have been discovered in Germany, in Hungary, 

 and in England. They equally surprise and interest us by 

 the immense quantity of debris of fossil animals which they 

 contain, and the remarkable analogy that exists among them 

 all in a geological point of view. To attempt any thing even 

 approaching to a complete account of them here would be im- 

 possible. We shall, however, notice some of their most striking 

 peculiarities ; and for a fuller description refer our readers to 

 the " Reliquiae Diluvianae"''' of Professor Buckland, a work 

 equally admirable for deep research, luminous exposition of 

 facts, and sound deduction. 



The most anciently celebrated of these caverns, according to 

 the Baron, is that of Bauman, near the city of Brunswick. 

 The entrance faces the north, but the entire direction is from 

 east to west. The entrance is very narrow. The first cham- 

 ber is the largest. Into the second it is necessary to descend 

 by a passage, first creeping, and then with the assistance of a 

 ladder. The difference of level is thirty feet. This second 

 chamber most abounds in stalactite, of a variety of forms. The 

 passage to the third chamber is at first the most difficult of all. 

 It is necessary to climb with hands and feet, but it gradually 

 enlarges, and the stalactites upon its roof and sides exhibit an 

 astonishing variety of fantastic and beautiful figures. There 



