474 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
specimens of lake-dwellings with which we are familiar, we see plainly 
enough that they all point to a very primitive and uncivilized condition of 
man, and hence are in the highest degree worthy of attention. To those who 
are really anxious to become acquainted with the habits and manners of the 
early European races, we commend Dr. Keller’s book, as being at once the 
fullest, honestest, and most systematic work which has yet been published 
upon the subject. Mr. Lee, as translator, has discharged his duty well ; and 
in his editorial capacity he has furnished a number of notes, references, and 
tables, which are of the highest value and interest. Dr. Keller’s work 
includes the labours of the archaeologists already distinguished for their 
investigations in this field of inquiry. This feature is, we believe, due to 
the enterprise of the translator, who determined to make the work a 
thoroughly exhaustive one. Of the method of the book we may state that it 
is divided into a number of chapters, each of which is devoted to the history 
of a particular settlement. Although from this feature the volume has more 
the character of a scientific monograph than of a general treatise, it is still 
very readable, and is best arranged for the purposes of reference. It may be 
remarked that the author is very little of a theorist. He is content to lay 
all the facts brought to light of late years before his readers, without 
attempting to deduce from them any clearly laid-down laws. Hence those 
portions of his work devoted to a general history of the pfahlbauten are 
short sketches. Still there is this advantage in their terseness : a half-hour’s 
reading gives one a capital general notion of the character of the pile- 
dwellings and of their variety. 
The lake-habitations owe their name of pile-dwellings to the circumstance 
that they were constructed of stakes or piles, which were driven into the mud 
or sand which constitutes the bottom of fresh-water lakes. They were in 
many instances built in groups, thus forming a kind of settlement, and in few 
cases had any direct connection with the neighbouring shore. The manner 
in which the driven piles were arranged varied. Sometimes they were 
placed close together, at other times they were ranged in pairs, occasionally 
they were placed at considerable distances, and in some instances they seemed 
to be driven in without regard to plan or order. The piles were pointed 
before being used, and this was effected partly by burning and by the use of 
stone hatchets. In all cases the heads were brought to a level, and then the 
platform beams were laid upon them, being fastened sometimes by wooden 
pins, and at others by means of “ mortice ” work. Occasionally, says Dr. 
Keller, “ cross-timbers were joined to the upright piles below the platform, 
to support and steady the structure, either forced in, as it were, between 
them, or fastened to them by what workmen call 1 notching,’ that is, portions 
were cut out of the vertical piles to receive the cross timbers.” . Upon the 
platform thus produced the dwelling was constructed, but as to the exact 
character of the roof and sides the evidence is not so satisfactory. It would 
seem, however, that the walls consisted of a narrow plank, upon the upper 
edge of which were ranged the rude rafters upon which the hurdle- work con- 
stituting the roof rested. Remains, indeed, of such planks have been found, 
but there is no reason for supposing that any more elevated wall existed. 
Such an arrangement was sufficient to prevent the invasion of either insects 
or damp, and this was probably all that was needed. The floor in some 
