80 The American Naturalist. [January, 
ment calculated to support the theory of the correctness of 
paleeolithic man or of such a period. 
American archeologists are unwilling to rely upon the 
soundness of arguments that appear to be intended to charge, 
that those who do not blindly follow European dicta, are 
incapable of expressing opinions of value. Sir John Lubbock’s 
definition of “ palolithic” and “neolithic” broadly given, 
is a distinction of the intelligence of the peoples of the two 
periods as evidenced by ~~ articles of their handiwork, and 
yet holds good. 
The reputation gained = that patient French archeologist, 
Boucher-de-Perthes in his investigations in the valley of the 
Somme, was well deserved, but the same cannot be said of 
those others who are endeavoring to discover new eras of 
man’s existence, extending over eons of time, and through 
gradations of chipping their tools in periods christened 
“ pre-paleeolithic,” “eolithic,” “ mesolithic” and the various 
cave periods, the names alone of which, are sufficient to con- 
vince thoughtful persons that they are on doubtful ground. 
The history of these newly christened eras has been that, by - 
the time their sponsors become familiar with the names, they 
abandon them, until now the structure has crumbled so abso- 
lutely that a geological stratum alone decides the question, and 
if specimens are found in it, no matter how finished they be, 
whether chipped or polished, they will be accepted. The libra- 
ries of America are well stocked in archeological literature. 
American students have done some good work; they are wil- 
ling to welcome intelligent inquirers to the fold, as there is 
abundance of room. Yet Americans are fast recognizing a 
rule, that where assertions are made archeologically, they 
demand a reference to the locality or the author or the speci- 
men, and they are unwilling to accept a guess. Paleolithic 
man has been a fad for years, a myth and phantom, who 
whether he will or no, must give way to man a reasoning 
being, an intelligent and implement using creature. 
