es of years lying back
of that, during which this people were slowly advancing from a previous
condition of barbarism. The Egyptian people themselves are, in part at
least, descendants of a Turanian people that probably in former times
occupied the valley of the Nile and North Africa.<26>

Mr. Geikie has lately gone over the entire ground from the point of view
of a geologist. He ranges over a wide field, and appeals in support to
writers of acknowledged ability in all branches of learning.<27> Yet
the impression we gather from his writings is that of ill-defined, but
far-reaching antiquity, one necessary to account for the great climatic
and geographical changes which he shows us have taken place since the
Glacial Age. But he tells us that any term of years he could suggest
would be a mere guess. We can not do better than leave the matter here.
Perhaps as a result of the research of our present scholars, we may soon
have more precise results.

These closing essays have impressed on us clearly and distinctly the
isolation of the Paleolithic Age. When we reflect on its prolonged
duration, its remoteness in time, and its complete severance from the
Neolithic and succeeding ages, we are almost ready to wonder whether
they were indeed human beings. But beginning with the Neolithic Age,
we come to our own era. This primitive culture seems to have been
the commencement of our own culture, and so the industries, household
implements, and weapons of these ages possess a greater interest to us.
We have now completed our inquiry into prehistoric life in Europe, and
are ready to turn our attention to other parts of the field. What we
have thus far learned shows us how true it is that the past of human
life on the globe is full of mystery. We trust that what has been
written will enable our readers to form clearer conceptions of life in
Europe during these far away times.

REFERENCES

(1) Dana's "Manual of Mineralogy," p. 230.
(2) "Primitive Man," p. 298.
(3) Evans's "Ancient Stone Implements," p. 5.
(4) Evans's "Ancient Bronze Implements," p. 8.
(5) "Ancient Bronze Implements," p. 3.
(6) Ibid., p. 40.
(7) Ibid., p. 19.
(8) Figuier's "Primitive Man," p. 300.
(9) "Ancient Society," p. 216.
(10) Figuier's "Primitive Man," p. 325.
(11) "Prehistoric Times," p. 7.
(12) M. Desor, in "Smithsonian Reports," 1865, tells us that
small brass rings were probably used b