antiquity,<63> may have been abandoned long before the Circleville
works, where Mr. Atwater could still distinguish vestiges of the
palisades that once helped to defend it.

We have said about all that can be said in a brief review of the
prehistoric life in America north of Mexico. We have seen how much there
is still for our scholars to work up before we can profess to as full
and complete a knowledge as we have of the prehistoric life in Europe.
We are just on the threshold of discoveries in regard to the Paleolithic
Age in this country. The southern boundary of the great ice sheet is now
known to us. Many scholars have pointed out to us the scattering bits
of evidence going to show that the ancestors of the present Eskimos
once inhabited the interior of this continent. Dr. Abbott has found
unmistakable evidence of the presence of such a people in New Jersey.
Our Indian tribes who came next, are not properly prehistoric, though
many questions relating to them belong to that field.

We have examined the works of the people known as Mound Builders. They
are indeed varied and full of interest, but our conclusion leaves their
origin involved in the still deeper question of the origin of the Indian
race. We are satisfied that they were village Indians and not tribes of
a vanished people. We have also examined that section of country wherein
the greatest development of village Indian life north of Mexico took
place. It would be very satisfactory could we show lines of migration
from the valley of the San Juan, as a center, to the Mississippi Valley
on the one hand, and to Mexico and the South on the other. We can find
some lines of evidence, but not enough to positively state such an
important truth.

We must now leave this field of inquiry. We trust such of our readers
as have followed us in these pages will have clearer ideas of the
prehistoric life in North America. They must however regard this
knowledge as simply a foundation, a starting-point, or as the shallows
along the shore, while the massive building, the long journey, or the
great ocean, is still before them. Our scholars are giving their time
and attention to these problems. They are learning what they can of the
traditions and myths of the tribes still existing. They are studying
their languages and plan of government. They are also making great
collections of the works of their hands. We will hope some day for
clear light on all these topics, which will e