The faunas of the three lowest stages in the cave present no important differences worthy of note, with the exception of that between the breccia and the cave-earth already pointed out—a difference, be it remarked, that may be the result of one animal falling more easily into the hands of man than another, and not of a change in the fauna of the district.
9. Notes on Species.
Order CARNIYORA.
Lion.—The Lion is represented by three canines, two worn down to the stump and one belonging to a young adult, and by m1. These teeth belong to four individuals, and are rather smaller than the average of those from the British caves described in the Monograph on Felis spelæa by Mr. Ayshford Sanford and myself (Pal. Soc. 1866 et seq.)
Spotted Hyæna.—The cave variety of the Spotted Hyæna is proved to have inhabited the cave through many generations by the numerous jaws and teeth of all ages, ranging from whelphood to the extreme of old age. All the jaws are gnawed to the patterns figured in Buckland's 'Reliquiæ Diluvianæ,' pls. 3, 4, 5, and in 'Cave-hunting,' fig. 92.
Fox (Canis vulpes).—A femur, two lower jaws, and a few separate teeth fall within the limits of size offered by the corresponding parts of the common Fox; and I therefore regarded them as belonging to that rather than to the arctic species, which has been determined by Prof. Busk, F.R.S., from a neighbouring cave (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 1875, p. 686).
Wolf.—The jaws, teeth, and phalanges of Wolf cannot be distinguished from those of the Canis lupus of Europe and Asia. They belonged to adult animals.
Bear.—The teeth of Bear (consisting of canines, premolars, and molars) indicate the existence of two closely allied forms. One of the canines is identical with that of U. arctos, while the rest, and the molars and premolars, are undistinguishable from those of the U. ferox or Grisly Bear as defined by Prof. Busk. None of them belong to cubs.
With regard to the further question as to whether the two Bears are closely related species, or well-marked varieties of one species, speech may be silvern, but silence is golden. The examination of a vast number of the remains of fossil Bears in this country and on the continent has forced on my mind the extreme difficulty of defining the one from the other from the study of the hard parts. Both forms, however, are quite distinct from the largest of the cave-haunting Bears (Ursus spelæus).
