432 
From the numerous specimens which he has obtained, he is enabled 
to state the astonishing fact, that these bones are similar, in the se- 
veral caverns of an extent of more than two hundred leagues ; that 
three-fourths of these bones belonged to species of bear not known 
now to exist ; a half, or two -thirds of the other fourth, to a species 
of hyena now existing ; and the remainder to some species of the 
lion or tiger, to the wolf, dog, fox, polecat, or some similar animals. 
Kundman, Walch, Esper, and several others, have failed in their 
endeavours to determine to what genus of animals these bones had 
belonged. Bruckman compared them to those of the bear : and M. 
Fuchs was of opinion, that the fosssil skull very much resembled that 
of the polar bear, which opinion was opposed by the celebrated 
Camper. M. Rosenmuller appears to have been the first who obtained 
any correct notions respecting these fossils. His comparisons led 
him to the conclusion, that the bear of these caves was different from 
the brown bear, as well as from the white or polar bear. Camper ap- 
pears to have proceeded a step further, and to have discovered, that 
among the bones of these caves were those of another species of bear, 
which he calls the true bear. Blumenbach perceived this difference 
in the fossil species, and in consequence named the one the Ursus 
spelasus, and the other Ursus nrctoideus. 
But it is to M. Cuvier that we are indebted, not only for a more 
distinct separation of these species from each other, but for an accu- 
rate comparison of the fossil with the several living species. He was 
supplied by M. Autenreith and Camper with the information which 
they possessed as to the fossils of Gaylenreuth ; by M. Carsten with 
correct drawings of the specimens of Sundwich, in the Museum of 
Berlin ; and he also had the full advantage of the Museum of the 
Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, and of several private collections. 
In addition to these he had immediate reference to the splendid col- 
lection of the fossils of Gaylenreuth, in the National Museum, which 
had been presented to M. Buffon, for the Parisian Museum, by the 
late Margrave of Anspach. 
