34 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
constant character in the antelopes, as differentiating various sub- 
genera or natural groups. 
If any philosophical thinker can explain what is the vera catisa 
which has provided for the Caiuotherium and Guanaco deep pre- 
orbital interspaces, whilst in their congeners the Dorcatherium and 
Vicuna, no such interspace exists, 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 interspaces in both recent and fossil ruminants. 
It has been suggested to me, that the two holes in the Mic^^othe- 
rium skull, as they are undoubtedly asymmetrical, might have been 
produced artificially or accidentally, the bone at this place being ex- 
ceedingly thin. Should such a theory be proved correct, the Micro- 
therium of the Auvergne deposit would still find its nearest analogue 
in the existing Meminna of Ceylon, and by the demonstration of tliis 
affinity, still further corroborate the truth of Professor Owen's gene- 
ralization, — " The affinity ot the Microtheres to the Cheorotains is 
nevertheless very close" (Palseontology, 2nd ed. p. 372). 
ON THE DISCOVERT OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL BONES 
IN HEATHERY BUEN CAVE, NEAE STANHOPE. 
By John Elliott, Esq. 
In a tolerably deep ravine, surrounded by trees and brushwood 
growing in wild profusion, was, until lately, a cave, in that member of 
the carboniferous formation locally called the " Great Limestone," 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 agency, 
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 the first 
