424 



NOTES AND QUERIES. 



The Kyson Monkey. — A letter " On the Hyraeotlierian cliaracter of 

 tlie Lower Molars of the supposed Macacus from the Eocene Sand of 

 Kyson, Suffolk," by Professor Owen, E.R.S., has been published in 

 the 'Annals and Mag. Nat. Hist.' (vol. x. p. 240). Professor Owen 

 says, " The fossil teeth from the Eocene Sand at Kyson, in Suifolk, 

 referred by me to a species of Macacus, are most probably the lower 

 molars of a species of Syracotherium {H. cunicuhis). The great differ- 

 ence of shape between the upper and low^er molars of Pliolophus, and the 

 pattern on which the lower molars are differentiated in that Hyracotherioid 

 animal, led me to suspect that the degree of difference between the upper 

 molars of Pliolophus and those of HyracotJierium might be attended with 

 a corresponding degree of difference in the lower molars of the two genera ; 

 and that such degree might render the lower molars of Ilyracotherium as 

 much like the lower molars of Macacus as the detached two molars are 

 which were first discovered by Mr. Colchester, and described by me. In 

 the collection of the late Mr. Acton were a series of both upper and lower 

 molars from the Kyson deposits ; the upper ones of the Ilyracotherium 

 type, and the lower ones analogous in their modifications to those in 

 Pliolophus, but more resembling the type of Macacus, and the same in 

 character as the original molars, which I referred in the volume of the 

 'Annals' above cited to Macacus." 



Human Skeleton at Kellet, in Lancashiee. — In the ' Geologist ' 

 for June, I contributed a brief notice of the above discovery of a human 

 skeleton under the conditions detailed in the annexed excerpt from the 

 'Lancaster Guardian ' of May 17th, 1862: — 



" Discovery of a Skeleton at Kellet. — In the course of the present week 

 the skeleton of a young woman has been found at Kellet, under the fol- 

 lowing circumstances : — On Wednesday, Mr. Bailie, of Lancaster, coal- 

 merchant, was looking for rockery-stone amongst the limestone-rock at 

 Kellet Seeds, and picked up in a natural fissure of the rock a bone, which 

 he at once concluded to be that of the leg of a human being. On remov- 

 ing some other stones in the fissure, a perfect skeleton was found, lying 

 on its side, with the skull underneath, and presenting the appearance of 

 having been jammed in with some force. There was no sign of any metal, 

 clothing, or hair, and as there was another fissure under the one in which 

 the skeleton w^as placed, it is possible that any articles which might have 

 aided identification have fallen into the cavity below. From the confor- 

 mation of the skeleton it was evidently that of a woman, and the state of 

 the teeth as clearly showed the youth of the individual. There can be 

 little doubt that this is a revelation of some deed of violence. The district 

 of Kellet, in days gone by, was rather noted for the lawlessness of its in- 

 habitants, which had become proverbial. It is said in the village that 

 about a hundred years ago a young woman left her home with some show- 

 folks, and was not heard of again. This is the only fact we can glean as 

 at all likely to elucidate the discovery at Kellet Seeds." 



Through the kindness of Captain Barrie, R.N., and of W. Bollaert, Esq., 

 F.R.G.S., I have had the opportunity of inspecting the fractured skull. 

 The calvarium is large, full, and is markedly brachycephalic. The frontal 

 sinuses are largo, the su])rnorbital ridges being undeveloped. 



Under the circnmstancos, as no implements, etc., were found with the 

 skull, any generalization on its age would be premature. The limestone 

 fissure being open at the top is a circumstance which throws great doubt 



