Page:Excavations at the Kesslerloch.djvu/12

Rh my opinion; and I have also gone so far as to alter in a very small degree the style where it appeared to me to be inappropriate. Otherwise the whole report is left precisely in the words of the author, although to regular antiquaries it may appear that it might have been shortened with advantage.

It would be hardly correct if in a preface to this most interesting account I omitted to state the astonishment which these prehistoric drawings have caused in certain quarters, almost amounting to scepticism as to their genuineness. But, on the other hand, it may perhaps be allowable to state a few facts which somewhat bear upon this point. In the course of the past summer, finding myself in Germany, it seemed very desirable to see with my own eyes the objects which had been found at the Kesslerloch, and also to visit the place itself. When at Zürich I had the good fortune to meet with Mr. Franks, who, it is well known, has paid very great attention to prehistoric matters—in fact he had been attracted to Switzerland by these very discoveries. With great kindness he allowed me to accompany him to Schaffhausen, where a large portion of these relics are deposited in the Museum there, and also to the cave itself. Dr. Von Mandach, the President of the Schaffhausen Natural History Society, accompanied us. The sketch forming the frontispiece was taken during this hasty visit, and was afterwards corrected by a second glance.

It will, I hope, not be a breach of confidence if I mention the facts as to the excavation which came to my knowledge. Thayngen is reached by the railway from Schaffhausen in little more than a quarter of an hour. Mr. Merk, the author of the present report, was for some time the Government 'teacher of practical science' there; and when he had discovered the cave, it was arranged with the Schaffhausen Society, of which the active and intelligent Dr. Von Mandach,