6$ Description qf the Cave -of EirMate hi Yorkshire ; 
1. There seems to have been a period when the cavern was 
not inhabited by the hyaenas. This period appears to have 
been very short* from the small quantity of stalagmite now found 
on the actual floor of the cavern. 
% During the second period the hyaenas inhabited the ca- 
vern, and the stalactite and stalagmite were still forming. This 
formation would be much interrupted by the constant passage 
of the hyaenas, who would knock off the stalactites from the roof 
and sides of the cave ; and accordingly, in some specimens of the 
breccia, Professor Buckland found fragments of the stalactite 
mixed with the bones. 
3. The third period , Professor Buckland considers to be 
“ that at which the mud was introduced, and the animals ex- 
tirpated, viz. The period of the deluge.” He shews, that this 
mud could not have been introduced by land-floods, often re- 
peated ; and he considers the vehicle of the mud to have been 
the turbid waters of the same inundation that produced the dilu-* 
vial gravel of the surrounding country. 
4. The fourth period is that during which the stalagmite was 
formed, which is deposited over the upper surface of the mud. 
During this last period, no creature appears to have entered the 
cave, with the exception possibly of mice, weazels, rabbits and 
foxes, until its opening last year ; and no process whatever seems 
to have been going on, excepting the formation of stalactitic in- 
filtration. 
From the facts now mentioned, Professor Buckland had con- 
jectured that other caverns, similar to that at Kirkdale, would 
be found. This conjecture has been confirmed, by the disco- 
very of another cave,. in a quarry close to the town of Kirby 
Moor side, on the property of C. Duncombe, Esq. who secured 
it from injury, till it should be examined by some persons pro- 
perly qualified. It was accordingly opened in the autumn of 
and was found to contain chambers lined with stalactite, and 
having on its bottom mud, and bones imbedded in it. We have 
not learned that any facts of importance have been added to 
those given in the very interesting and able paper of Professor 
Buckland. 
