Page:Natural History Review (1861).djvu/511

Rh speaks volumes of evidence at the first glance. This I believe to be one great reason why we hear so much of jaw remains, and so little of other bones." No doubt it is so, but these observations, made by Prof. Steenstrup, afford a farther explanation of the fact, and it is to be regretted that the parts of the long bones which are most important to the palæontologist are also those which are preferred by beasts of prey.

In every case, the bones which contain marrow are split open in the manner best adapted for its extraction, and this peculiarity, which has not yet been observed in bones from the true tertiary strata, is in itself satisfactory proof of the presence of man. No such indirect evidence is, however, required; not only are pieces of burnt wood, and even the stones forming the hearths, of frequent occurrence, but flint implements are far from rare. During our short visit to the Havelse Kjökkenmödding we obtained nine hatchets, of which Mr. Busk and I were so fortunate as to find three each, besides flint flakes and sling stones. These latter (Pl. VII., fig. 12) are so rude, that except for the circumstances under which they are found, there would at first sight seem to be but slight grounds for regarding them as specimens of human art. A more careful examination shows, however, that the flint has been carefully broken in such a manner as to adapt it for a sling, while the sharp edges would considerably increase its power of wounding. The flint flakes are of the ordinary type.

None of the large polished axes have yet been found in the Kjökkenmöddings. A very few carefully formed weapons have been found, but the hatchets are almost invariably rude, though of a well-marked type (Pl. VII., figs. 8 and 9): their angles are not ground down as in the more perfect weapons from the tumuli (Pl. VII., figs. 1, 2, 5), but are left rough, as in the older specimens from Amiens and Abbeville, from which, however, they differ altogether in shape. Small pieces of very coarse pottery have also been discovered.

Some of the bones from the Kjökkenmöddings bear evident marks of a sharp instrument, and several of the pieces found by us were in this condition, one in particular having been fashioned into a pin.

The absence of human remains satisfactorily proves that the primitive population of the North were free from the practice of cannibalism. On the other hand, the tumuli have supplied us with numerous skeletons of this period. The skulls are very round, and in many respects resemble those of the Laps, but have a more projecting ridge over the eye; in this respect nearly approaching the skull found by Dr. Schaffhausen, and figured by Mr. Busk in our second number. One curious peculiarity was, that their front teeth did not overlap as ours do, but met one another, as do those of the Greenlanders at the present day. This evidently indicates a peculiar manner of eating.

Much as still remains to be made out respecting the men of the