ge of the
world, when the great continents were outlined.

The atmosphere gradually freed itself from its weight of water-vapor,
the rains descended, and the ocean took form and contour. We are
concerned only with the outlines of Geology, not with its details. It
is full of the most interesting facts, but is foreign to our present
purpose. We will only say, there is a marked progression in the scale
and importance of life forms.

The lower forms of animals appear first to be followed in time by the
higher. It is true that some forms have survived through all the changes
of Geological time to the present: yet, speaking generally, some forms
of life are peculiar to each age, and the general phase of animal life
is different with each period. They thus form epochs in the history of
the world as read from the rocks, and though the beginning and ending of
each age may blend by insensible gradations with that of the preceding
and following, yet, taken as a whole, we observe in each such
singularities of form and structure as to give name to each particular
age.

In the fullness of time man appears; and it is our pleasant task to
trace the evidence of his primitive state, his growth in culture, and
his advancement made before the dawn of history. Our inquiry, then, is
as to his prehistoric state. We use this term in the same sense as Dr.
Wilson uses it: that is, to express the whole period disclosed to us by
means of archaeological evidence, as distinguished from what is known
through historical records. We can not doubt but that this includes by
far the largest portion of man's existence. The time embraced within
historical records, though different in different portions of the world,
is but a brief period in comparison to the duration of time since he
first went forth to possess the Earth. If we can make plain to our
readers that man has lived in the world an extremely long time, going
back indeed to a former Geological age--that his first state was very
low and rude--that he has risen to his present high estate by means
of his own exertions continued through long ages--and from this form
a prophecy of a golden age to come in the yet distant future, we shall
feel that we have not written in vain.

Illustration of The Sphinx.------------

REFERENCES

(1) Von Hellwald: "Smithsonian Report," 1866.
(2) Palgrave,
(3) Lubbock: "Prehistoric Times," p. 2.

Chapter II

EARLY GEOLOGICAL PERIODS.<1>