ANCESTRAL MAN. 33 



Moreover, we have seen that in addition to the sense of sharp- 

 ness or edge that we associate with flint or stone, there is also the 

 idea of hardness or hammering power. So that we are prepared 

 to find that the Latin calcare means to tread under foot, to kick, 

 "to recalcitrate ;" and that calx means the heel, the hammer of 

 the, foot. 



And now, recollecting that X"^ l £ signifies a pebble, we come, 

 all at once, to perceive that the Greek word yoXKos contains the 

 whole history of human progress — 

 XaAc^, a pebble. 



XaA/cos, i. — Originally a flint nodule, a stone implement. 

 2. — Copper, when first wrought. 

 3. — Brass or bronze, when it superseded stone. 

 4. — Iron, in the iron age — supplanting criSrjpos, 

 which, from its meteoric origin, was its 

 first name. 

 5. — Metals in general. 

 XaAvi/', 6. — Hardened steel. 

 So the word x aA xos being used, in the end, to designate only 

 iron, there is left no specific name for flint in the Greek language.* 

 While, as if no link should be wanting, x a ^ Kr )^ v > or chalcedony, 

 is a white quartz, a substance formerly much valued for making 

 stone implements, found in Chalcedon in Asia Minor ; XaA/«s is 

 a city in Eubsea, which derives its name from some neighbouring 

 copper mines ; and XdX,v\J/ signifies one of the nation of Chalybes 

 in Pontus, famous for the working of steel. 



CONCLUSION. 



Tt is not inopportune to recall, in conclusion, that the history of 

 -L language affords a striking example of the Law of Evolution. 

 In words, as in organisms, we see the phenomena of growth, 

 variation, competition, survival, and extinction. Having its origin 

 in the simplest elements, having for the most part an onomatopaeic 

 foundation, or a basis' of imitative sound, language is evolved by 

 degrees into highly complex forms. It changes with a changing 

 environment, and is never stable or at rest. The confusion of 

 tongues is, indeed, a consequence and not the cause of the dis- 

 persion of peoples ; and though a printed and widely diffused 

 literature may greatly hinder, it cannot arrest this linguistic flux, 

 for diversity of speech is as inevitable as diversity of life. 



Every word, like a living creature, has a structure, a kindred, a 

 pedigree ; and the grammar of language resembles a scheme of 



* The word KpOKaAr], the sea-shore, shingle, is probably connected with root 

 GAR, to make a noise : Sanskrit, gharghara, a rattling. 



