I2O PIONEERS OF EVOLUTION. 



after its publication. Darwin remarks upon it in his 

 Historical Sketch that although displaying " in the 

 earlier editions little accurate knowledge and a great 

 want of scientific knowledge, it did excellent service 

 in this country in calling attention to the subject, in 

 removing prejudice, and in thus preparing the 

 ground for the reception of analogous views." 



Three years after the Vestiges, there was, al- 

 though none then knew it, or knowing the fact, would 

 have admitted it, more " sapping of the foundations " 

 of orthodox belief, when M. Boucher de Perthes ex- 

 hibited some rudely-shaped flint implements which 

 had been found at intervals in hitherto undisturbed 

 deposits of sand and gravel old river beds in the 

 Somme valley, near Abbeville, in Picardy. For these 

 rough stone tools and weapons, being of human 

 workmanship, evidenced the existence of savage 

 races of men in Europe in a dim and dateless past, 

 and went far to refute the theories of his paradisiacal 

 state on that memorable " 23 October, 4004 B. c.," 

 when, according to Dr. Lightfoot's reckoning (see 

 p. 95), Adam was created. While the pickaxe, in 

 disturbing flint knives and spearheads, that had lain 

 for countless ages, was disturbing much besides, 

 English and German philosophers were formulating 

 the imposing theory which, under the name of the 

 Conservation of Energy, makes clear the indestructi- 

 bility of both matter and motion. Then, to com- 

 plete the work of preparation effected by the dis- 

 coveries now briefly outlined, there appeared, in a 



