408 ETHNOLOGY. 



tliis time. It may further be stated that they are exclusively of Freucli pro- 

 duction, none such having as yet been met with elsewhere, and even for France 

 are only at present found grouiied in a small corner on the southwest part of the 

 empire. One may almost say that in those obscure times a feeling for art had 

 made its appearance, and was undergoing gradual development in a limited 

 circle, without spreading among the adjacent tribes, possessed of similar manners 

 and civilization. In fact, it is only made apparent at present l)y the representa- 

 tion of organic beings, by animals or plants, in Dordogne, (the principal centre,) 

 Vienne, Charente, Tarni-et-Garonne, and at Ariego. The reindeer period with 

 its various industry has, however, been recognized at many points in the eastern 

 part of France. It has 3'ielded a rich harvest in Belgium, where it has been 

 studied with care by M. Edouard Dupont ; finally it has been noticed in Wmt- 

 erabcrg, not far from Lake Constance, by M. Fraas, but neither of these stations 

 have furnished representations of animals. 



The substances in which the artists of that period worked are sometimes plates 

 of stone, more or less schistose in character; likewise at times the ivory fur- 

 nished by the defensive organs of the mammoth, or some portion of his bones ; 

 but the most common material was the horns of the reindeer, more than half of 

 the objects on exhibition having been sculptured in it. 



Of the 51 pieces on exhibition at least 12 of them belong to those staffs, 

 pierced with one or more large holes at the base. The exceeding care taken in 

 ornamenting these objects full}' confirms the opinion- of M. Lartet, who looks 

 upon them as insignia of office or batons of command. 



Six or seven other sculptured pieces belong to those implements so sharply 

 pointed at the upper end and bevelled or sloped off at the base. Tliis shows 

 us that they were lance-points or heads, since they would never with so much 

 pains have ornamented their arrows, which were to be lost at the first throw. 



Upon some of these lance-points, as I have already stated concerning the 

 second division, the slope of the base cuts aw'ay and destroys a part of the design. 

 In certain instances of these batons of office, piercing the holes has produced the 

 same effect. All this shows that these people placed art above industry. In 

 truth, they were eminently disposed towards art. In their carving and sculptures 

 there may be observed so true a feeling for form and movement that it is nearly 

 always possible to pronounce exactly what animal is represented, and to perceive 

 fully the intention of the artist. There is very considerable liveliness shown in 

 the treatment, and, although only the infancy of art, real art it incontestably is. 

 These efforts are far, very far removed from the clumsy, rough draughts made 

 by children, and particularly the ridiculous counterfeits, caricatm-es. 



Tlie mammoth. — Standing before this case and fronting the centre, there is 

 perceived a large plate of ivory, coming fi-om Madeline, in Dordogne, (exhibited 

 by MM. Lartet and Christy,) upon which is engraved, in a sketchy manner, an 

 elephant with swelling forehead, very little eyes, and long trunk. What is still 

 more interesting is that the tail of the animal is clothed with long hair forming 

 an ample tuft or brush, which proves that the design is not to represent our living 

 species, but that of the mammoth or long-haired elephant. Above it is the 

 lower end of an official staff or baton of reindeer horn, carved into a,n elephant's 

 head with protruding forehead, on either side of which may be seen a large ear 

 and a small eye, and the trunk is neatly arranged extended along the base of 

 the baton. This specimen, which belongs to M. Vibraye, comes from Langerie- 

 Basse, in Dordogne. 



Close at hand is a piece still more complete ; it is an entire mammoth carved 

 upon the broad antler of a reindeer. This specimen was found under the shelter 

 of a rock at Bruniquel, (Tarne-et-Garonne,) and belongs to M. Peccadeau de 

 ITsle. The four limbs are at once recognized, straight, thick, without sensible 

 joints, and ternunated by large, flat feet. From theVront passes out the haft of 

 a poniard; if the broken stump which is left be taken away, it will be seen that 



