10 



23 1 . The canine of a large Polar Bear, to show its inferiority in size as com- 

 pared with the extinct species. 



24. The right superior canine of a fossil Bear, from Kent's Hole, Torquay. 



Presented by Gerard Smith, Esq. 



25. The fang of a canine of a fossil Bear, from the same cavern. 



Presented by Gerard Smith, Esq. 



dividuals must have contributed their remains to make up this appalling mass of the dust of death. It 

 seems in great part to be derived from comminuted and pulverized bone ; for the fleshy parts of ani- 

 mal bodies produce by their decomposition so small a quantity of permanent earthy residuum, that 

 we must seek for the origin of this mass principally in decayed bones. The cave is so dry, that the 

 black earth lies in a state of loose powder, and rises in dust under the feet : it also retains so large a 

 proportion of its original animal matter, that it is occasionally used by the peasants as an enriching manure 

 for the adjacent meadows. [I have stated that the total quantity of animal matter that lies within this ca- 

 vern cannot be computed at less than 5000 cubic feet; now allowing two cubic feet of dust and bones for 

 each individual animal, we shall have in this single vault the remains of at least 2500 bears, a number 

 which may have been supplied in the space of 1000 years, by a mortality at the rate of two and a half 

 per annum.] The exterior of this cavern presents a lofty arch E in a nearly perpendicular cliff, 

 which forms the left flank of the gorge of the Esbach, opposite the castle of Rabenstein [see plate 

 18, E]. The depth of the valley below it is less than 30 feet, whilst above it the hill rises rapidly, 

 and sometimes precipitously, to 150 or 200 feet. This narrow valley or gorge is simply a valley of 

 denudation, by which the waters of the Esbach, D, fall into those of the Weissent. The breadth of 

 the entrance-arch is about 30 feet, its height 20 feet. As we advance inwards the cave increases in 

 height and breadth, and near its inner extremity divides into two large and lofty chambers, both of 

 which terminate in a close round end, or cul de sac, at the distance of about 100 feet from the en- 

 trance. It is intersected by no fissures, and has no lateral communications connecting it with any 

 other caverns, except one small hole close to its mouth, and which opens also to the valley. These 

 circumstances are important, as they will assist to explain the peculiarly undisturbed state in which 

 the interior of this cavern has remained, amid the diluvial changes that have affected so many others. 

 The inclination of the floor, for about 30 feet nearest the mouth [see plate 18, E], is very considerable, 

 and but little earth is lodged upon it ; but further in the interior of the cavern G is entirely covered 

 with a mass of dark brown or blackish earth, H, through which are disseminated in great abundance, 

 the bones and teeth of bears and other animals, and a few small angular fragments of limestone, which 

 have probably fallen from the roof, but I could find no rolled pebbles. The upper portion of this 

 earth seems to be mixed up with a quantity of calcareous loam, which before it had been disturbed 

 by digging, probably formed a bed of diluvial sediment over the animal remains ; but, as we sink 

 deeper, the earth gets blacker and more free from loam, and seems wholly composed of decayed animal 

 matter. There is no appearance of either stalactite or stalagmite having ever existed within this 

 cavern." — Reliquice Diluviance, p. 137. 



