340 The American Geologist. J"m\ is5>h 
And where can a more rational explanation both of the 
changes and of the interval be found than that proposed by 
Prof. Geikie, — the relegation of paUeolithic man to a glacial 
and of neolithic man to a postglacial date? On this view all 
difificulties vanish. The vast antiquity of human remains in 
Britain is explicable and the recency, by comparison, of all 
yet reported from North America becomes evident and intelli- 
gible. 
This argument has been before the world now for many 
years and considering its cogency it is not a little surprising 
to find so distinguished an archaeologist as Sir John Evans, 
in his address before the British Association at Toronto in 
September last, speaking in a manner betraying not a little 
confusion of mind on the subject. It is, of course, not to be 
expected that archaeologists should also be geologists, but it is 
al)solutely necessary in order to avoid serious error that each 
should be familiar with the discoveries of the other when they 
touch upon his own particular province. The study of early 
man is the most important meeting-point of the two sciences 
and here there should be harmony and mutual understanding. 
Yet we find in this address the expression "the Post-glacial or 
River -drift period." Now the river-drift is synonymous in Eng- 
land, at least in part and perhaps altogether, with the palaeo- 
lithic period and consequently on the argument of Prof. Geikie 
must be of interglacial age. Indeed some of the very diffi- 
culties with which Sir John Evans has met and to which he 
has called attention in his address instantly disappear on the 
adoption of the theory here advocated. He dwells for instance 
on the immense duration of palaeolithic time. He says it is 
proved "by the thick layer of stalagmite in Kent's cave"; "by 
the revolution which took place in the fauna after the latest of 
the cave-deposits of the palaeolithic period"; by the remote- 
ness of the commencement of the neolithic period and by the 
great changes in the surface configuration of the countrv. All 
this is evident, but when we consider what is now known of 
the vast length of neolithic time the geologist will find it a diffi- 
cult task to crowd both it and palaeolithic time into the post- 
glacial era. It is simply impossible. But grant the inter- 
glacial date of palaeolithic man and the imaginary difficulties 
melt away and time enough can be allowed for all the changes 
