178 FOSSIL REMAINS OF QUADRUPEDS, &C. 
posited at different periods. As the masses of animal mat- 
ter drifted by the waters of the Deluge would contain relics 
of animals of all descriptions, young and old, weak and 
strong, sick and healthy ; we could not expect, in so large 
a deposit, to find the whole in the same state of preserva- 
tion. But the difference observed, is not so much the re- 
sult of their different states at the time of their lodgment, 
as of their favourable or unfavourable position in the cave 
itself; according as they were more or less immersed in the 
mud, and, especially, according as they were more or less 
exposed to the action of water. Some of the teeth and 
bones were much decayed, and almost black, evidently 
through the effect of water ; while others, occupying more 
favourable positions, were remarkably fresh. 
It is rather strange, that Mr Buckland should draw one 
argument to support his theory, from the circumstance, 
that few of the hollow or marrow bones are unbroken, and 
that the most entire bones, and parts of bones, are such as 
are naturally most hard and solid; for this is just what we 
might expect, whether the bones were broken by dashing 
against rocks, or by hyasnas^ jaws. Some marrow-bones, 
however, are quite entire ; and others that are broken can- 
not well be supposed to have been cracked by the hyaenas, 
to obtain the marrow, for, as they are merely broken across, 
very little of the marrow covld be extracted. 
The great disproportion of teeth in the collection, instead 
of favouring the den hypothesis, is rather against it ; parti- 
cularly as it regards the teeth of the elephant, rhinoceros, 
and hippopotamus. The entrance of the cave was too 
strait to admit the head of one of these animals ; and the 
pachydermata have generally such short and thick necks, 
that it would be no easy task for hyaenas to behead their 
carcases. Unless the hyaenas were actuated by sentiments 
of glory, they would be more likely to carry off their legs, 
