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dislike to change and reform ? 2. Does this refer to all the 
proceedings of life, or especially to matters of state, magic, 
religion, &c. ? 3. Are weapons, houses, &c., made in a way 
which is practically unreasonable, and only intelligible as the 
keeping up of ancient ruder practices? 4. Are any rude 
arts or inconvenient customs kept up as matters of cere¬ 
mony while disused for ordinary purposes ? 5. Do any 
of the usages at festivals, peculiar dishes and customs, &c., 
appear to be relics or “ survivals 55 from an earlier state of 
civilization ? 
E. B. T. 
No. XXL—ENGINEERING. 
In most countries, even those now highly civilized, there 
are earthworks of various kinds belonging to some pre¬ 
historic period, and of which, in many instances, the purpose 
and method of formation are unknown ; observations of 
similar works of more recent construction in other countries 
may perhaps throw some light upon the history of the more 
ancient examples. 
The prevention of floods by means of levees thrown up 
along the banks of rivers, the construction of artificial islands 
to serve as places of retreat or safety, the damming up of 
streams so as to form lakes, the formation of artificial 
channels either for irrigation or communication by means of 
boats, the throwing up earthworks and making palisades for 
protection in time of war or for hunting purposes, the 
construction of bridges, all require a certain amount of 
engineering skill, and the processes employed are all worthy 
of study. 
It will be well to note any works of this kind, and where 
possible to give an approximate idea of their antiquity. 
Where such works are being carried on at the present day, 
it will be well to state their object and describe the means 
employed. 
1. If earthworks are being constructed, how is the material 
