264 Scientific Intelligence. 
In regard to the origin of the humus or soil which covered the skele- 
tons, it is quite difficult to explain. It is certain that the existence of 
e humus, and consequently the introduction of the leaves which forme 
it, is more ancient than the layer of stalagmite which covers it, a layer 
which attains, in certain places, a thickness of six decimeters. It is cer- — 
tain also that, since the formation of the layer of stalagmite, no more 
caves presenting themselves in many Pp to the men of that to 
serve exactly the purpose of dolmens, and exempting them from erect! 
monuments whose construction must then have required great labor. 
We are thus led to consider sepulchral caverns as natural dolmens, which 
prastaty in the peri reindeer or in the period of poli 
to see the light and smoke until the last of April, or four months. 
told by Mr. Richardson, who keeps a good hotel at Kilauea, that from 
his place he occasionally saw steam rising from that crater during all 
