UssHER — On Extinct Mammals found in a Co. Cork Cavern. 5 



of Mammoth calves were found in more than one place, and a very 

 interesting mandible of one of these exhibits its first teeth. 



The Wolf, too, seems to be represented, for we found a canine 

 radius of large size in the stalagmite. 



But we were yet to discover a more able bone-crusher than the 

 Bear or the Wolf ; for a portion of a maxilla with the two back 

 molars which turned up in the sand has been recognized by Dr. ScharfE 

 as that of the Spotted Hyaena, an animal new to the Irish list, and 

 which connects our Pleistocene fauna with that of more southern 

 countries. 



Possibly when the bones are determined, other animals may be 

 found to be represented, some of the cervine remains being remarkable. 



The question naturally arises whether or not this is a pre-glacial 

 cave ; its long history needs to be elucidated by all the light that can 

 be thrown on it, so that too much care and labour cannot be expended 

 in working out this extensive cavern. It may prove to be the most 

 important bone-cave yet discovered in Ireland, not only from the 

 abundance and variety of extinct animals that it contains, but from the 

 fact that it opens up a chapter in the Pleistocene history of the country 

 of which we had previously very scanty records, except such limited 

 evidence as was afforded by the Shandon cave. 



Like the latter, the Mammoth cave has as yet yielded no relics of 

 early Man ; but it would be rash to assume that such may not be 

 discovered there by a thorough examination of its contents. 



To do this properly the materials should be harrowed or carried 

 out and searched by daylight — a method that at present seems only 

 partially possible, owing to the tortuous and irregular fonn of the 

 passages, encumbered by masses of rock. We have already cleared out 

 the entrance gallery, enlarging it by blasting, and Lord Castletown has 

 placed a strong door there ; we have made preliminary excavations in 

 parts that have been named the Hyeena Chamber, the Elephant Hall, 

 the Abyss, and Fairy-land. 



These searches have resulted in the procuring of fifteen baskets of 

 fossil bones, though some of the time, during our two months' stay, 

 was occupied in making a survey and sections of the cave — a work 

 which, it is hoped, may be continued towards completion next year. 



Until the 22nd October, I found this the driest cave I had ever 

 worked ; but after that date a heavy rain-fall caused the whole place 

 to become so wet as to be dangerous to health. 



R.I. A. PROC, VOL. XXV., 8EC. B.] 



B 



