534 
EEPOET ON THE EXPLOEATION OF BEIXHAM CAVE. 
and it would seem that what is described as the patella is in reality the detached end 
of the radius above noticed. Besides these, a further removal of the indurated clayey 
matrix has brought into view a large portion of a rib ; and some other bones may not 
improbably still be concealed in the mass, which has been left intact in order to 
display the original juxtaposition of the remains. 
This magnificent specimen is of special interest, as being that to which Sir Charles 
Lyell, in his work on ‘The Antiquity of Man’*, and Sir John Lubbock, in ‘Pre- 
historic Times’ f, refer, but with respect to which they seem to have been not quite 
correctly informed. Sir C. Lyell speaks of the “ occurrence at one point in overlying 
stalagmite of the bone of a Cave-Bear,” and of the “ discovery at the same level in the 
bone-earth, and in close proximity to a very perfect flint tool, of the entire left hind 
leg of a Cave-Bear.” Although the argument sought to be strengthened by the cir- 
cumstances thus recorded (of the contemporaneity of man with the Bear) is not mate- 
rially affected by the correction, it is as well that this opportunity should be taken of 
stating the facts exactly as they stand. 
The “ bone ” above referred to by Sir Charles Lyell as having been lodged in the 
overlying stalagmite is a very perfect humerus of a Bear of small size, which was 
found, in the position described, on the 30th July, 1858, at a distance of 67 feet 
from the entrance of the Reindeer Gallery, or at pretty nearly the same distance as the 
leg-bones ; but it was, as has been said, completely imbedded in the stalagmitic floor, 
and consequently above the surface of the third bed, whilst the leg-bones lay at a 
depth of upwards of 2 feet in the clayey bone-earth; moreover, it was found at the 
opposite or east side of the Gallery. It should also be stated that the humerus differs 
from the other bones, not only in size, but very remarkably in its condition, which is 
nearly white, and it is wholly unstained by dendritic deposit, whilst the leg-bones are 
deeply coloured, very dendritic, and evidently of much higher antiquity. Nor does 
it appear that either the humerus or the leg-bones were found in close proximity to a 
flint implement. Three implements of the kind only can be referred to in speaking of 
these bones, viz. those numbered 1, 2, 3 in Mr. Pengelly’s Report. Of these, Nos. 
1 and 2 were found nearest the leg-bones. They were both found on the 29th July, 
1858, 74 feet from the entrance, and 9 inches deep in the third bed, i. e. 12 feet south 
and 15 inches above the level of the leg-bones, or 7 feet south and 9 or 10 inches 
deeper than the humerus ; they were, in fact, deposited immediately beneath the spot 
where the great antler was found on the upper surface of the stalagmite. The third 
flint implement was found the next day at a distance of 47 feet from the entrance, and 
34 inches deep in the third bed. 
A second instance of the same kind, and equally tending to show the probability that 
these remains must have lain almost undisturbed from the period of their sepulture, 
w'hilst still surrounded by the soft parts, or at any rate connected by ligaments, is 
afforded in the remains, evidently belonging to one and the same young Bear, which 
* Third edition, page 100. t Page 260. 
