Page:Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, vol. 31.djvu/330

240 was further afforded by the presence of a good deal of charcoal, whilst a number of human teeth seemed to point to its having at some time served as a grave.

Of animals probably not conected with man, there were many bones and teeth of the fox (Canis vulpes) and about as many of the badger (Meles taxus). Young foxes and young badgers were found. There was also a nearly perfect skull of a cat, and portions of skulls of water-rat (Arvicola amphibia), so common in the prehistoric barrows of this district. There was also a canine of dog, a milk-molar of red deer, a smashed bone of duck, spurs of domestic fowl, and bones of hare, with a recent skeleton of shrew.

Of implements &c, there was a tooled piece of Stag-horn, an iron spike (or what seemed to be such), 2 flints (one very good), a piece of jet, part of a bone comb, and a magnificent bronze celt of a type I believe to be unusual, bearing marks of usage, but in a splendid state of preservation. It was found in the second layer, very near the top and on the north side of the cave, just where the deposit was thickest.

The second layer contained also some rounded fragments of chert. Below the stalagmite, and in the black earth (D) were bones and a tooth of the Celtic short-horn, part of a jaw and bones of the hog, part of a jaw and some vertebræ of red deer, a femur of wolf, and a molar of horse.

In the yellow layer (E) next the rock were more human teeth, the jaw of a hog, part of the jaw (teeth very large) and bones of red deer, and bones or teeth of goat, badger, rabbit, and cat; also a good flint implement.

Outside the cave and in the layer above the stalagmite, where it existed (the results from below the stalagmite being included in those already given) were bones of the Celtic short-horn, bones of a young dog, and bones of hogs. All these were broken.

There were also perfect bones of the fox, badger, and goat. Direct traces of man appeared in a human fibula, and a base of red-deer antler, half sawn through and then broken off; some other fragments of antlers were also present. A flint was the only other manufactured article discovered.

The cave seemed to have been from time to time occupied during a lengthened period, probably commencing in the Neolithic age, and extending into those of Bronze and Iron; whilst in historic times it has been the refuge of badgers and foxes, man now and then resorting to it for temporary purposes.

As a residence or a refuge it would be safe, sheltered, and tolerably commodious, being situated near the top of the steep sides of Cave Dale, screened from observation and the weather by a bank of earth and having a south-eastern aspect.

Gelly or Hartle Dale.—In this dale are three or four small caves or rock shelters, one to be presently mentioned.

It is one of the little glens in the Mountain-limestone to the south of Castleton.

In one of these caves, which was dug out in 1872, we found but