CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION. PAGE Interest in the subject--Influence of Lyell--Usher's Chronology--Aime Boue first to proclaim the high antiquity of man--Dr. Schmerling the founder--Boucher de Perthes the apostle--Classifications by Lubbock, Lartet, Renevier, and Westropp--Plan of the work--No Universal Age of Stone, Bronze, or Iron--Epochs not sharply defined--Outlines of History--Superstitious Notions--Skull from Constatt--Stone hatchet from London--Cavern of Gailenreuth--Axes from Hoxne--Human jaw from Maestricht--Skeleton from Lahr-- "Reliquiae Diluvianae"--Discoveries by Tournal and Christol-- Engis and Enghihoul Caverns--Schmerling's labors--Lyell's opinions--Arrow mark on skull of Cave-Bear--Boucher de Perthes and the Valley of the Somme--Jaw of Moulin-Quignon-- Kent's Hole--Fossil Man of Denise--Remains from the Manzanares--Cave of Aurignac--Lyell declares his belief-- Lake-Dwellings of Switzerland Neanderthal Skull--Caverns near Torquay--Cave of Massat--Cave of Lourdes--Caverns of Ariege--Tertiary at St. Prest--Implements near Gosport-- Bones from Colmar--Implements near Bournemouth--Trou de la Naulette--Bones near Savonia--Reindeer Station--Foreland Cliff--Fossil Man of Mentone--Other Discoveries near Mentone. 11