TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 145 
than they have hitherto done. The term Archaic very fitly applies to the period in 
relation to its arts. The ornamentation employed in the pottery found in barrows 
consists almost, without exception, only of improvements on the accidents of manu- 
facture. The same indefinite and archaic character prevails throughout our primi- 
tive ornamented relics, which are by no means rare. In the pottery, for example, the 
incised decorations are characterized by great variety, and an obvious progress is 
traceable; but in no single instance is any attempt made at the imitation of a leaf, or 
flower ; of animals, or of any other of the most simple natural objects. The same is 
the case with the most beautiful gold and silver ornaments, and the decorated bronze 
weapons. It is curious and noteworthy to observe this entire absence of all imitation 
in primitive British arts, because it is by no means a universal or even very general 
‘characteristic of the arts of Allophylian nations. The relics recovered from the se- 
pulchral mounds of the great valley of the Mississippi, as well as in the regions of 
Mexico and Yucatan, display, along with the weapons and implements of stone, silex, 
and obsidian, numerous rude indications of imitative skill. The same is the case with 
the modern Polynesians. What I would specially note in connection with this is, 
that both in the ancient and modern examples, the presence of imitative arts ac- 
companies the existence of idols, and the abundant evidences of an idolatrous worship. 
So far as we yet know the converse holds true in relation to the primitive British 
races; and as Dr. Prichard has already attached so marked an importance to the 
contrasting creeds and modes of worship and polity of the Allophylian and Arian 
nations, I venture to throw out this suggestion as not unworthy of further con- 
sideration. 
Another peculiarity in which all the earlier races appear to differ from those of Teu- 
tonic origin is of a purely physical nature. In the tumuli we find the weapons and 
implements buried with the deceased, and wherever these have been obtained suffi- 
ciently perfect to admit of positive conclusions being drawn, they show that the 
hands of the earlier British races must have been extremely small, when compared 
with those of very moderate stature in our own day. This however is also, though 
in a less degree, a characteristic of the pure Celt, in contrast to the Saxon, or other 
later colonists of the British Isles. It is curious that we possess the most in- 
disputable evidence of the same characteristic having pertained to the primitive 
temple-builders of the new world. Mr. Stephens remarks, in describing the 
well-known symbol of the red hand, first seen by him at Uxmal, ‘ Over a cavity 
in the mortar were two conspicuous marks which afterwards stared us in the face 
in all the ruined buildings of the country. They were the prints of a red hand, 
with the thumb and fingers extended, not drawn or painted, but stamped by the 
diving hand, the pressure of the palm upon the stone. There was one striking fea- 
ture about those hands; they were exceedingly small. Either of our own spread 
over and completely hid them.” This also I think is worthy of note, I have examined 
primitive British swords and daggers, the handles of which would be straitened for 
the grasp of many a delicate lady’s hand. 
1850. ; L 
