﻿196 EVOLUTION IN THE PAST 



differed from the straight, ape-like thigh-bone of Pithecan- 

 thropus. As regards hands, the individuals were quite 

 human. 



It is clear from the remains that one of these inter-glacial 

 hunters met with a severe accident, resulting in the dislo- 

 cation of his elbow-joint. This injury had been neglected, 

 owing probably to sheer ignorance as to how to deal with it. 



Other remains recently (1907) discovered also probably ^ 

 belong to this epoch (H. mousteriensis Hauseri). These 

 men had markedly receding foreheads. Their jaws were 

 much protruded, giving the face an ape-like muzzle, such as 

 is possessed by some of the Australian aborigines. They 

 also resembled those savages — and, indeed, all negroids — 

 in possessing wide and flattened noses. Their dentition 

 was of a powerful character; and the teeth, in being very 

 strongly rooted, possessed a simian character. In dis- 

 quieting circumstances these were doubtless displayed in 

 true animal style. 



The aborigines of Australia probably come nearest to 

 these old wandering hunters, both as regards physiognomy 

 and culture. But even they — the lowest of living savages — 

 possess skulls of higher type. 



Thus then Europe revived, and became the scene of a 

 miscellany of brute life such as had never before been 

 gathered within her borders. Man, too, was there ; destined 

 to kingship, but as yet far from the establishment of his 

 sovereignty. 



These inter-glacial conditions, including minor fluctua- 

 tions, may have lasted some thousands of years ; but it is 

 impossible to ascertain their duration. Certain it is that 

 in course of time, owing chiefly to land-upheavals, there was 

 a persistent lowering of temperature ; and great glacial 

 streams once more overran northern Europe. 

 re-glacia- Gradually Ireland and Scotland were re-buried under ice 

 tion of and snow ; so also were parts of northern England. The 

 Europe North Sea was frozen over from coast to coast ; and Norway,. 

 Sweden, Finland, and Denmark were once again overwhelmed. 

 The ice-sheet, however, never became so extensive as at the 

 maximum of the first glaciation. The greater part of England,. 



