228 FOSSIL MEN. 



present in the condition of their bones and mode of 

 occurrence no evidence of greater antiquity, what geo- 

 logical evidence have we that the residence of man in 

 Europe has been longer than 6000 years? The answer 

 must be Absolutely none, as far as the association 

 of man with extinct animals is concerned. Further, 

 when we consider the mode of occurrence and state 

 of preservation of the remains, and their identity with 

 the remains of modern American races, the very long 

 periods assigned by some authors to the residence of 

 man in Europe become ridiculous in their absurdity. 



We may now proceed to consider the second chain 

 of evidence for the antiquity of man that derived 

 from the physical changes which have occurred since 

 his entrance upon the scene. Keference has already 

 been made incidentally to the depth to which certain 

 river valleys seem to have been cut since the caverns 

 on their sides were filled. In the case of those near 

 Liege, the depth is estimated at 200 feet in some 

 cases, and it is stated as possible that the caves on 

 opposite sides of certain deep gorges may correspond. 

 If this could be proved, it would show that this great 

 depth had been cut out of the solid limestone of the 

 country. It may well be, however, that old valleys 

 have only been emptied of debris ; and in any case, if 

 an elevation of the land had occurred, and there were 

 floods or volcanic debacles, or a permanently swollen 

 condition of the rivers owing to a more humid climate 

 or a dense covering of forest, the time required for 

 such cutting would be much shortened. 



