i8 2 ( 38 ) 



>. Evidence from Arch&ology, 



As the object of the present essay is not to examine 

 fully into the evidences for the theories of evolution here 

 stated, but rather to give a sketch of such theories and 

 their connection, a few facts only will be noticed. 



Improvement in the use of Materials. As is well 

 known, the remains of human handiwork of the earliest 

 periods consist of nothing but rude implements of stone 

 and bone, useful only in procuring food and preparing 

 it for use. Even when enterprise extended beyond the 

 ordinary routine, it was restrained by the want of proper 

 instruments. Knives and other cutting implements of 

 flint still attest the skill of the early races of men from 

 Java to the Cape of Good Hope, from Egypt to Ireland, 

 and through North and South America. Hatchets, 

 spear-heads and ornaments of serpentine, granite, silex, 

 clay slates, and all other suitable rock materials, are 

 found to have been used by the first men, to the exclu- 

 sion of metals, in most of the regions of the earth. 



Later, the probably accidental discovery of the superi- 

 ority of some of the metals resulted in the substitution 

 of them for stone as a material for cutting implements. 

 Copper the only metal which, while malleable, is hard 

 enough to bear an imperfect edge was used by succeed- 

 ing races in the Old World and the New. Implements 

 of this material are found scattered over extensive 

 regions. So desirable, however, did the hardening of 

 the material appear for the improvement of the cutting 

 edge that combinations with other metals were sought 

 for and discovered. The alloy with tin, forming bronze 

 and brass, was discovered and used in Europe, while 

 that with silver appears to have been most readily pro- 



