.MTA2Mw.NzIwOTY
Pygmies 197
carefully covered up on both sides, as well as at the head & feet, with flat stones. On the bottom also a stone was fixed, on which the body was lying, placed on the right side, with the head to the east. Time had compleatly destroyed all parts of the body, as well as decomposed the bones, which, however, still preserved their relative situations. The teeth, which were expected to furnish the best, and perhaps the only, data to judge upon, were found in a state almost perfect, being defended by the enamel, which seems only to yield chemical decomposition. To the astonishment of all, they proved to be the teeth of a being who, if it had not attained the age of puberty, had unquestionably arrived at the period of life when the milk teeth yield to the permanent or second set. The molares and incisors were of the ordinary size of second teeth. The jawbone seemed to have its full complement, unless it was the dentes sapientide, better understood by the term wisdom teeth, which make their appearance from the age of 18 to 22 or 23. The next grave examined, was an adjacent mound, and measured 27 inches. It resembled, in every respect, the first, except that the top of it was covered with flat stones placed horizontally. Several others were opened, all of which presented a uniform appearance; and none, although