2^68 FOSSIL REMAINS OF QUADRtJPEDS, &C. 
the rock itself, forming a kind of arch over it, that explana- 
tion of the phenomenon cannot be admitted. It is much 
to be regretted, that no scientific inquirer examined the 
contents of that cavern at the time of the discovery. Mr 
W. Bearcroft, an intelligent gentleman, now living at 
Aislaby, near Pickering, visited the spot some time after, 
when the most interesting bones had been destroyed or lost. 
He saw no bones of horses^ but perceived a mutilated 
under-jaw of a hog, and part of a leg-bone of a sheep. 
Most of the other bones appeared to him to be human ; 
and he was told that, at the opening of the cave, there were 
found nine human skulls, and eighteen scapulae. For want 
of that minute inquiry which such a subject requires, the 
real nature of that collection of relics must remain in un» 
certainty ; but I am strongly inclined to consider it as co- 
eval with the Kirkdale collection. 
In the Manor Vale, adjoining to Kirkby Moorside, ca^ 
verns in the limestone have been observed for many years. 
Mr BiRB and Ij at one of our latest visits to that quarter, 
thought it of importance to have some remaining branches 
of such caverns examined. Mr Bird, accordingly, made a 
search into one or two of the branches. He found no ani- 
mal remains ; biit discovered in the bottom & kind of mud, 
like that in the Kirkdale cavern, with a slight mixture of 
sand. In this were found a numbet of pebbles, or small 
rounded stones, chiefly siliceous; and several pieces of 
blackish vegetable matter, in so decayed a state, that they 
had no distinct shape. The spot has been since more fully 
explored, under the direction of the proprietor, Charles 
DuNCOMBE, Esq. M. P., in the hope of obtaining animal 
remains ; but without success. 
Another phenomenon, as mysterious as that exhibited at 
Kirkdale, was also brought to light in the summer of 182L 
Some workmen employed at Pallion Quarry, near Sunder-r 
