CAUTION OF GEOLOGISTS. 275 



locality which, is interesting as having produced remains, 

 not only of the mammoth, but also of the musk ox. 



Since my first visit in 1860, I have been several times to 

 the Valley of the Somme, and have examined all the prin- 

 cipal pits : though I have never met with a perfect hatchet, 

 I have found two implements, which were quite unmistake- 

 able, though rude and fragmentary. 



But why, it may be asked, should the history of this 

 question be thus recounted ? Why should it be treated dif- 

 ferently from any other scientific discovery ? The answer 

 is not difficult. That the statement by Mr. Frere has been 

 neglected for more than half a century ; that the weapon 

 found by Mr. Conyers has lain unnoticed for more than double 

 that time ; that the discoveries by M. Boucher de Perthes 

 have been ignored for fifteen years ; that the numerous cases 

 in which caves have contained the remains of men together 

 with those of extinct animals have been suppressed or ex- 

 plained away:* are facts which show how deeply rooted 

 was the conviction that man belonged altogether to a more 

 recent order of things ; and, whatever other accusation may 

 be brought against them, geologists can at least not be said 

 to have hastily accepted the theory of the coexistence of the 

 human race with the now extinct Pachydermata of Northern 

 Europe. 



Though, however, the distinguished geologists to whom I 

 have referred, have all, with one exception, expressed them- 

 selves more or less strongly as to the great antiquity of these 

 curious weapons, still, I do not wish that they should be 

 received as judges ; I only claim the right to summon them 

 as witnesses. 



* It is not yet ten years since a com- Vivian, that worked flints occurred in 



munication from the Torquay Natural Kent's Hole with remains of extinct 



History Society, confirming the state- species, was rejected as too improbable 



ments made long before by Mr. Godwin for publication. 

 Austen, the Eev. Mr. M'Enery and Mr. 



