34 



TnE GEOLOGIST. 



constant character in the antelopes, as differentiating various sub- 

 genera or natural groups. 



If any philosophical thinker can explain what is the vera causa 

 wliich has provided for the Cainotherium and Guanaco deep pre- 

 orbital interspaces, whilst in their congeners the Dorcatherium and 

 Vicuiia, no such interspace enists, a character originally pointed out 

 by Dr. J. E. Gray, and which according to my experience is the sole 

 specific difference which can be demonstrated, such explanation will 

 be of great benefit to zoological science. The above observations 

 are made solely with a view of suggesting further inquiry on this 

 most interesting topic. I trust that some of those writers who have 

 so carefully studied the osteology of Euminantia, may be led to re- 

 consider the question, and to make further observations on the func- 

 tion of the facial iiiterspaces in both recent and fossil ruminants. 



It has been suggested to me, that the two holes in the Idicrofhe- 

 rium skull, as they are undoubtedly asymmetrical, mnght have been 

 produced artificially or accidentally, the bone at this place being ex- 

 ceedingly thin. Should such a theory be proved correct, the Mic?^o- 

 therimn of the Auvergne deposit would still find its nearest analogue 

 in the existing Meminna of Ceylon, and by tlie demonstration of this 

 afiinity, still further corroborate the truth of Professor Owen's gene- 

 ralization, — " The affinity of the Microtheres to the Cheorotains is 

 nevertheless very close" (Palseontology, 2nd ed. p. 372). 



ON THE DISCOVEET OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL BONES 

 IN HEATHERY BUEN CAA^E, NEAE STANHOPE. 



By JoHif Elliott, Esq. 



In a tolerably deep ravine, surrounded by trees and brushwootl 

 growing in wild profusion, was, until lately, a cave, intliat member (jf 

 the carboniferous formation locally called the " Great Liuiestone," and 

 situated about one mile and a quarter north from the town of Stan- 

 hope, in the county of Durham. The limestone is now being worked 

 for the purpose of supplying the AVeardale Iron Company with a 

 flux used in the operation of smelting their ironstone ; and conse- 

 quently the cave has been laid bare to the light of day. 



The cave was much visited a few years ago, both by strangers and 

 persons living in the locality, but probably few of the visitors ever 

 studied the excavating forces by means of which the cave was hol- 

 lowed out of the solid limestone, and fewer still, if any, would think 

 that they were treading on a primeval burial-place. 



Doubtless the excavation must be mainly due to aqueous agencv, 

 but a reference to Sir Charles Lyell's 'Principles of Geology,' Pro- 

 fessor Phillips's ' Treatise on Geology,' and Eichardson's ' Geology,' 

 shows that our leading writers on this subject consider that i\ie Jirst 



