The following paper was published in the 'Edinburgh 

 New Philosophical Journal' for April 1835 (vol. xviii. 

 pp. 285-296). It was to have been read at the Edinburgh 

 Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of 

 Science in the preceding month of September, 1834, but 

 did not reach the Secretary in time. 



Notwithstanding the lapse of years since the enunciation 

 of the opinions thus expressed, I believe they will not be 

 found inapplicable at the present day, when the subjects 

 of Man's origin, antiquity, primeval condition, and early 

 progress excite so much interest. 



Were I giving utterance to my present opinions, I should 

 naturally see reason to modify in some respects the ex- 

 pressions contained in this paper. But, as in all material 

 points my early opinions remain unchanged, and as I am 

 not able from want of time to rewrite the article with 

 the requisite alterations, I have thought it better to reprint 

 it as originally produced, merely omitting certain passages 

 and adding a note. 



Bekesbourne, 

 August 31st, 1863. 



