THE LAST DECADE. 
421 
passages, the entrance descending vertically from the surface down 
into the cave, fr'om which the chambers extend in an easterly and 
westerly direction. The total length of the easterly division is 
463 feet 6 inches, and consists of three chambers and two passages. 
Westward the cave extends about 200 feet, and consists of two 
chambers and two passages. At the western extremity of the cave 
he found that the limestone roof terminated, and its place was 
occupied by stones and earth. The latter were removed, and it was 
found that the cave opens out on the slope of the hill, terminating 
with a vertical cliff face 20 feet in height. After clearing out the 
opening it was found that the side walls of the cave continue onwards 
as a ravine for about 50 feet, being entirely filled with the loose 
mixture of earth and stones, and only discernable on the ground above 
by its covering of unbroken turf ; this, Mr. Poulton regards as the 
true opening of the cave. About fifty yards distant from the ravine 
is a pot-hole, and it is probable that there was formerly a connection 
between tliis and the cave by a passage now denuded away. The cave 
would thus drain into the pot-hole, and the stream on the eastern side of 
the vertical opening is in this direction, although it sinks in the 
second chamber. Inside the cave a considerable amount of work was 
done. It was found that the investigations of the previous explorers 
had extended superficially to the most productive portions of the 
caves, and that little remained to be done. The second chamber on 
the east side was found to have been as little worked as any, and it 
was to this that the party principally devoted their attention. Xear 
the surface was found a blackish earth containing pottery, bones, and 
in some cases metal implements. This corresponds with the historic 
layers in the Victoria Gave. Near the centre of the cave they found 
a circular pit which had been dug by the men who lived at the time 
when this layer was being formed. It was about a yard in diameter 
and four feet deep ; in it were found bones and ornaments, frequently 
encrusted with stalagmite ; three small bronze pins occurred close 
together, half a broken spindle whorl of Samian pottery, and a smaU 
piece of flint were found ; many rugged and cut bones, probably used 
as handles, knives, or rough pins. They also found the bowl end of 
a spoon-shaped fibula, pierced by a central hole, and ornamented with 
