354 STRUCTURE OF THE VERTEBRATES 



stone implements, evidently knives and scrapers, the earliest 

 record of man's cultm^al beginning. 



The Neanderthal man was short in stature, measuring about 

 five feet four inches in height, and walked with knees slightly 

 bent. The head was large but did not extend much above the 

 level of the eyes, the forehead being receding. The orbital ridges 

 were heavy as in other primitive men, the bridge of the nose 

 was flat, and the jaws protruded in front. The lower jaw had 

 a slight chin which was not as prominent as that of the present 

 race. He most resembled the bushmen of Australia, man's most 

 primitive living relative. With the rise of the present species, 

 Homo sapiens, the men of the earliest stone age were probably 

 forced to take refuge in marshes, mountains and other inacces- 

 sible places. It is interesting that in several such spots in 

 Europe, untroubled by the ravages of invasion and immigra- 

 tion, groups still live who have heavier orbital ridges and more 

 protruding jaws than are found in their neighbors. 



AVith the rise of the Cro-Magnon men, a tall race with large 

 heads, stone work became an art. No longer were they limited 

 to crude implements of flint, but awls, knives, spears and arrows 

 were made of finely chipped flint and polished bone. From this 

 time on culture grew. Close-grained rock was hammered and 

 polished to make axes and other implements, and fragments 

 of pottery jaws are found with their remains. From very early 

 times the walls of the caves were decorated with finely drawn 

 pictures of animals of the chase, many of which have long since 

 become extinct. At first these drawings were in black and white, 

 and then colors were added. In the later drawings the artists 

 show a knowledge of perspective. Sea shells, bones and teeth 

 were fashioned into ornaments for the body, and domestic and 

 hunting implements were decorated with beautifully sculptured 

 designs. 



Later development is not the province of anatom}^ The Cro- 

 INIagnon men were of the same species as the present race, and 

 there is no evidence that man has evolved either physically or 

 mentally since the beginning of these early cave dwellers. The 

 time element involved, however, is so short that there is no 

 reason to believe that the evolution of man has ceased; but as 

 to the course which it may follow, it is impossible to prophesy. 



