1866. | Annual Retrospect. 143 
back in time. This interesting question is not, however, to be re- 
garded as a settled one. Even the best authorities see reasons for 
holding these hypotheses loosely, hopmg that extended researches 
may clear up many points which now remain obscure or doubtful. 
The divisions of a Stone Age and a Bronze Age have been 
questioned. Mr. Wright is disposed to believe that all bronzes are 
Roman, and that the use of stone implements and weapons may have 
been continued, by the untrained tribes inhabiting a country, at the 
very time when the more cultivated inhabitants of cities were manu- 
facturing both bronze and iron into articles for use or ornament. 
The discovery of flint implements im every part of Europe and 
in the East proves, not as some have supposed, the extension of the 
same races of men, but rather that pre-historic man, of every race, 
when he was compelled by his necessities to employ his mind in the 
production of tools, chose stones at first, as they were most con- 
veniently at hand. The selection of such as were best fitted for 
cutting instruments, or for delivering a blow, would be the next 
stage of development. 
Geographical Science has been active, and many of our enter- 
prizing travellers have added largely to our knowledge of the Earth’s 
surface. Vambéry brings us fresh information from the lands ren- 
dered interesting to us all as the scene of the exploits of Timour 
Khan, and over which travelled our ancient friend Marco Paulo. 
The Geographical Society, urged on chiefly by the suggestions of 
Captain Sherard Osborn, has been occupied with considerations of 
a new Arctic expedition. Though earnestly advocated by the Pre- 
sident and many influential members of the Geographical Society, 
the question of another expedition has not received any encourage- 
ment from the Government, owing, no doubt, to the dangers that 
beset it, and which have already been fatal to so many brave men. - 
In the meantime, Mr. Hall is dwelling amongst the Esquimaux. He 
is said to have found Franklin’s ships, and he is following up a 
track which he hopes may lead to more important discoveries 
An important work has been carried out through the agency of 
the officers of our Ordnance Trigonometrical Survey. Sir Henry 
James, R.E., directed a survey of Jerusalem and of the Dead Sea 
to be made by Captain Wilson, R.E., and a party of Sappers under 
him. This has been carefully done, and the true condition of the 
