In a few instances human bones have been found in such associations as to suggest the high geologic antiquity of man in .,tmeri•a. The best known instance is that of the Calaveras skull alleged to have been found in auriferous gravels beneath lava beds near Angels, Cal.; and its in te•est was enhanced by frequent reports of the finding of stone implements (pestles, mortars, spear-heads, etc.) in gravels of a corresponding age. At the time the associations were reported, the gravels were supposed to be Pleistocene or Quaternary, and the lava still newer, so that the accounts had an air of credibility. During ISRO-95, several geologists resurveyed the region, and ascertained that the auriferous gravels, and even the overlying lava-beds, are of Tertiary (probably early Tertiary) age, so that the alleged associations would seem unworthy of considera tion unless supported by the strongest possible direct evidence. In 1S97 the region was re examined critically by Holmes and McGee, who discovered (I) that all the alleged occurrences of human relics in the gravel reported luring recent years may be ascribed to a natural mis apprehension on the part of workmen and others the objects falling from the surface into the gravel stratum, to mix with the pebbles in the sluice boxes) ; (2) that most of the mortars and pestles alleged to have been found in the gravels were manufactured from the volcanic rock over lying the gravel beds; (3) that the obsidian blades reported from the gravels are made from material of much newer formations; (4) that the Calaveras skull is of a type corresponding pre cisely with that of Indians still living in the same vicinity; (5) that its state of preservation cor responds closely with that of modern bones after a few years' burial in the limestone caverns or calcareous earths of the region; and (0) that the contemporary testimony concerning the finding of the eranium is contradictory. with the burden
against the original allegation. Other reports of the occurrence of human remains in geologic deposits have come from Trenton; the first case was that of a supposed Eskimo cranium, al leged to have been found in Pleistocene deposits, but which was afterward examined by Russell and found to he of modern Algonquian type; another was a human femur reported from the same deposits, which is yet discussion. On the whole it may lie said that while the pre historic human remains of America throw much light on ethnic problems, on the habitats and migrations of tribes, on primitive customs, and so on the later chapters in the development of the aborigines, they throw little light on such questions as those relating to the origin and antiquity of mankind.