283 
THE RECENT FOSSIL MAN. 
By J. MORRIS, F.G.S. 
Proeessor oe Geology in University College, London. 
[PLATE LXXXVIL] 
TI1HE subject of tbe antiquity of man has of late years attracted 
I considerable attention, and the terms paleolithic and neo- 
lithic have become nearly as familiar as those of the stone and 
iron age of former years. For preconceived opinions on this 
point, and the apparent doubtful evidence of the association 
of the human species with those of the extinct mammalia, 
strengthened the belief of the appearance of man only after 
the great physical changes had brought about their disappear- 
ance. Hence arose, partly from want of careful observation, 
much controversy on the subject, and, although maintained by 
some, the opinion has been confirmed by the re-examination of 
several of the cases cited, as well as by recent discoveries, that 
the remains of man lie entombed in earlier graves than those 
where 
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep. 
Among those who carefully investigated and prominently 
brought the subject forward were Mr. Prestwich* and the late 
Dr. Falconer, after their examination of the discoveries near 
Abbeville by M. Boucher de Perthes and of the Brixham cave ; 
the facts of the contemporaneity of the works of man with 
the remains of extinct mammals were still contested by Elie 
de Beaumont and others ; but the opinions of Mr. Prestwich 
were corroborated by Mr. Evans, Mr. Flower, Sir J. Lubbock, 
Sir C. Lyell, and by MM. Lartet and Christy, and Gaudry in 
France. 
The occurrence of human remains are far more rare in 
caverns or other deposits than those of the works of man, and 
hence every additional fact is worthy of careful examination. 
“ Phil. Trans.” 1860, Pi. II. p. 277. 
