ADVANCE OF ANTHROPOLOGY. 491 



tion between the peoples to account for the identity. 

 It does not surprise us that the same complicated 

 physical operations should be performed by far- 

 distant peoples without any communication with 

 each other. Why should it be more surprising 

 that mental operations, not nearly so complex, should 

 be produced in the same order by different peoples 

 without any such communication? Where commu- 

 nication is proved or probable, it may be accepted 

 as a sufficient explanation ; where it is not provable, 

 there is uo need that we should assume its existence."* 

 In this connection reference should be made to the 

 researches of Dr. J. G. Frazer, Mr. E. Sidney Hart- 

 land and Mr. Gomme. 



There is need to be exceedingly careful with 

 the generalisation that children in their fancies and 

 games, speech and ideas, recapitulate stages in the 

 evolution of mankind. Changed conditions and the 

 influences of education tend to modify such recapitu- 

 lation as there may be. At the same time, this line 

 of enquiry, cautiously followed, has led to valuable 

 results. Thus the antiquity of many child-games is 

 indubitable ; they persist unchanged with remarkable 

 conservatism; to some extent they are vestiges of 

 ancient customs. As Lord Bacon said of fables, we 

 may find in the games of children " sacred relics, 

 gentle whispers, and the breath of better times." The 

 works of Mrs. Gomme and Professor Groos may be 

 especially mentioned. 



Increasing attention is also being paid to the 

 anthropological value of the decorative arts. In 

 many cases there is a " racial style," as persistent 

 as a physical feature, recognisable through periods of 



* E. B. Bradbrook, Address Anthropological Section, Rep. 

 Brit. Ass., 1808, p. 1005. 



