Fig. 25.—Incense Burner(?).
Chen Dynasty, B.C. 1122 to B.C. 255.
(From the Poh Ku T’u.)
Fig. 26.—Tripod of the Shang Dynasty.
Probable date, B.C. 1649.
(From the Poh Ku T’u.)
Fig. 27.—Tripod of Fu Yih,
Shang Dynasty.
(From the Poh Ku T’u.)
Fig. 28.—Tripod of Kwai Wan,
Chen Dynasty, B.C. 1122 to B.C. 255
(From the Poh Ku T’u.)
A similar inference might not unfairly be drawn with regard to those numerous discoveries of proofs of the existence of ruder man, at still earlier periods. The flint-headed arrow of the North American Indian, and the stone hatchet of the Australian black-fellow exist to the present day; and but a century or two back, would have been the sole representatives of the constructive intelligence of humanity over nearly one half the inhabited surface of the world. No philosopher, with these alone to reason on, could have imagined the settled existence, busy industry, and superior intelligence which animated the other half; and a parallel suggestive argument may be supported by the discovery of human relics, implements, and artistic delineations such as those of the hairy mammoth or the cave-bear. These may possibly be the traces of an outlying savage who co-existed with a far more highly-organized people elsewhere,[88] just as at the present day the Esquimaux, who are by some geologists considered as the descendants of Palæolithic man, co-exist with ourselves. They, like their reputed ancestors, have great ability in carving on bone, &c.; and as an example of their capacity not only to conceive in their own minds a correct notion of the relative bearings of localities, but also to impart the idea lucidly to others, I annex a wood-cut of a chart drawn by them, impromptu, at the request of Sir J. Ross, who, inferentially, vouches for its accuracy.