EE VIEWS. 
491 
is composed of quotations ; and this is perhaps fortunate, for Dr. Hunt is not 
happy in his construction of sentences, and is frequently unpardonably cruel 
to his “ Murray : ” the following passage to wit : — • 
“ Mr. Eeade’s observations and his description does (!) not quite agree 
with the accounts generally given of the negroes in the Bights or Windward.” 
The only memoir in the entire series which has a claim to be considered 
scientific is that by Dr. J. B. Davis, on the “ Neanderthal Skull,” a speci- 
men which, though not in its possession, forms a great part of the Society’s 
“ stock in trade.” It is a joint which the members have served up in every 
conceivable manner, and which they have succeeded in converting at length 
into a very vapid and unwholesome hash. Dr. Davis, who is only one of the 
hundred savants who have "written upon this subject, attempts to show that 
the skull does not present race characters, but is simply an abnormally formed 
cranium. He supplies us with a fricassee of Mr. Turner’s admirable article in 
the “ Natural History Eeview,” and tries to prove that the osteal conformation 
in the singular specunen under notice is the result of obliteration of the 
developmental lines. Apparently, considering that the gigantic frontal 
sinuses of the Neanderthal skull are characters of little importance, he con- 
fesses that he cannot advance a reason for their presence unless they are 
accidental. Whether Dr. Davis merely desired to read a paper or not it is 
not given us to judge, but we will not do his reasoning powers the injustice 
to think that he regarded his conclusion as a sound induction. The other 
portions of the volume are unworthy of comment, and the best wish we can 
express for the Anthropological Society is that its present issue of memoirs 
may command a very limited circulation. 
PEIMITIVE MAN.'^ 
A ll of us are interested in knowing what were the habits of life and 
general characters of our early ancestors, and of late years the desire 
for information upon this subject has increased vastly. The literature of 
l^rehistoric man derived its first comprehensive contribution from Dr. Wilson ; 
Sir Charles Lyell’s work next appeared in the field, and now we find the 
distinguished president of the Ethnological Society presenting himself as 
a public instructor. We are glad that Mr. Lubbock has left for awhile the 
arena of technical science, not because we think he is better in his present 
capacity, but because he is an original observer, enthusiastic in his devotion 
to his pursuit, and capable of giving us the results of his inquiries in language 
which is as lucid as it is fascinating. There is another reason, too, why we are 
“ Prehistoric Times, as illustrated by Ancient Eemains, and the Manners 
and Customs of Modern Savages,” By John Lubbock, F.E.S., &c, London: 
Williams and Norgate. 1865. 
