THE PREHISTORIC AGE

Wanganui Herald, Volume III, Issue 535, 18 February 1869, Page 2

THE PREHISTORIC AGE

The Post published a • leadingarticle a few days since, in which it alluded with a triumphant orthodox fervour to some discoveries of water-worn stones, which conchisively proved that the " stone age" represented natural phenomena. The --flint axes" were merely waterworn stones, similar to those found somewhere in Lyell's Bay. Here was a genuine attempt to set at rest the inferences and conclusion of Lyell for ever, and prove the ignorance of our savans. The Post, however, has received its quietus from Dr Hector, who addressed to it the following letter:—

•* Sin —From a paragraph in your issue of yesterday, I. observe that my remarks concerning the interest to be attached to the specimens of windworn stones described by Mr. Travers at a recent meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society as bearing upon the so-called stone age, have

been to some extent misunderstood. In exhibiting Mr. Traver's specimens I I placed beside them on the table the I rudely made stone implements of the New Zealanders, and pointed out that, as a g-roup, the sand-worn stones could not readily be mistaken for such works of art, still a few were as perfect in form that had they been found under different conditions than those described by Mr. Travers, they might have' given rise to a good deal of ingenious but futile speculation. I cannot, hewever, admit the inference that they have any ■ bearing whatever on tbe authenticity i and antiquity of the flint implements found in Europe, which are at once distinguished by the geological coni ditions under which they are found, , and by their having been formed by a process of chipping, showing disi tinct evidence of design, i /-Anyone desiring information on this subject, should read the first nine chapters of Ly ell's ** Antiquity of Man," as bearing much more on . this subject than the specimens from •■ Lyall Bay, which were dealt with as fully as they deserve by Mr. Travers in his remarks at the meeting above referred to. "lam&c, '-James Hector.

-•Colonial Museum, 13th Feruary."