ETHNOLOGY. 



THE TROGLODYTES, OR CAVE DWELLERS, OF THE VALLEY OF THE VEZERE. 



By M. Paul Br oca. 



An Address delivered before the French Association for the Adrancement of Science. 

 [Translated from "La Eevue Scientifique," November IG, 1872, for tlie Smithsonian Institution.] 



Ladies and Gentlemen: Impressed by the splendor wliieli sur- 

 rounds me, and by tlie sight of this large audience, I am impelled to 

 render homage to the beauty and intelligence which have prepared so 

 brilliant a reception for the French Association. The members of the 

 society have reason to congratulate themselves upon having chosen 

 Bordeaux for its first session. 



Our institution is one that appeals to general interest. Although it 

 has originated entirely in private enterprise, it rests upon bases which 

 assure its continuance, and it cannot fail to survive the struggle which 

 may be maintained for years against i^ublic indifference. Yes, although 

 our debut should be greeted with coldness and neglect, we would persevere, 

 for we consider the diffusion of knowledge as an important element of 

 the greatness of nations, and surely the necessity of this diffusion has 

 been rendered palpable by the recent disasters which have shown the 

 danger of extreme intellectual centralization. Convinced of the utility 

 of our objects, undismayed by obstacles, and undiscouraged by apparent 

 defeat, we will renew our sessions year by year, increasing in numbers 

 as we gradually enlist recruits, and assured that in a country like ours 

 success, however long deferred, must sooner or later crown our efforts. 



For the success of the first session, which has far surpassed our hopes, 

 thanks are due to my esteemed colaborers, MM. Broca and Girondin ; also, 

 to the distinguished gentlemen of the local committee, especially Profes- 

 sor Azani, the intelligent and indefatigable secretary. 



The subject of my discourse is the troglodytes, or cave-dwellers, of 

 the Vezere, that fossil population whose subterraneous dwellings we are 

 about to investigate. 



Their existence dates back to a remote antiquity. We do not know 

 their names ; no historian has mentioned them, and it is only eight 

 years since the first traces of them were discovered, and yet in some re- 

 spects we are better acquainted with them than with certain celebrated 

 nations of classic renown. We know their mode of existence, their arts, 

 their industries, many details of their lives. Does not such knowledge 

 constitute the real history of nations, a history more interesting than 

 that of their battles, their conquests, and even their dynasties ? 



