be is but an insignificant part of the whole. This
historic period is not the same in all countries. It varies from a few
centuries in our own country to a few thousands of years in Oriental
lands. In no country is there a hard and fast line separating the
historic period from the prehistoric. In the dim perspective of years
the light gradually fades away, the mist grows thicker and thicker
before us, and we at last find ourselves face to face with the unknown
past.

This extensive period of time is not, however, utterly lost to us. We
have simply to gather our information in some other way. Enthusiastic
explorers, digging beneath the ashes of Vesuvius, have brought to light
the remains of an entombed city. Of this city we indeed have historic
records, but even if all such records had long since disappeared, we
would gather much information as to the nationality of the inhabitants,
their customs, and manners, by a simple inspection of the relics
themselves. Everywhere over the earth, entombed beneath the feet of the
living, or crumbling on the surface, are the few relics of a past far
antedating the relics of Pompeii. They are the proofs positive that some
people inhabited the land in far away times.

Our object is to gather together the conclusions of the scientific
world as to primitive man. We wish to see how far back in the geological
history of the globe we can find evidence of man's existence, and we
desire to learn his surroundings and the manner of his life. There can
be no more important field than for us to thus learn of the past. To
read the story of primitive man, to walk with him the earth in ages long
ago, with him to wage war on the huge animals of a previous epoch, to
recede with him before the relentless march of the ice of the Glacial
Age, to watch his advance in culture, to investigate whether there are
any races of men now living which are the direct descendants of this
primeval man.

The author makes no claims to original investigations. He trusts,
however, it will not be considered impertinent for a mere loiterer in
the vestibule of the temple of science to attempt to lay before others
the results of the investigations of our eminent scholars. He has
endeavored faithfully to perform this task. As far as possible technical
language has been avoided. This is because he has written not for the
distinctively scientific men, but rather for the farmer, the mechanic,
and the man of business. Constant r