The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-19

communication in remote ages with the pivotal
seat Of learning in Chaldea.
il is also evident the nayigators in pre-his-
toric ages had developed their science beyond
that Of he c0asting trade. and made their yoy-
aces across the broad Pacific as their line Of
Communication extended along the Pacific
Islands.
ON both Continents Of America the evidence
OF the earliest civilization was situated upon
the most accessible portions by water; on the
Southern Continent along the slopes of tho
Andes 90 the Pacific Ocean, and on the North
err Continent, in Central America, luUatan,
Mexico, and along the banks Of d. great rivers
and their tributaries.
The means by which they reached the re-
mote and isolated stations against the constant
trade winds prevailing within the tropics, with
transient and uncertain Interruptions from east
TO west, implies a most accurate knowledge Of
navigation. To make these extensive voyages
M sea they must have had large aud well-con-
stluctcd ships adapted for the purpose and
provided with labor-savinG propulsion, as well
as instruments for steering their course.
In and about the vicinity OF Chaldes mag
netc ore was in abundance and IL is likely
race SO far advanced in other sciences should
be acquainted with tho properties Of that metal,
and IL is extremely probable the directing pow
ers Of the needle were used 10 guide them
safely into a designated harbor.
IN A CHINESE WORK
OF great antiquity reference is made 10 the
magnetic car intended 10 point out the way
across the country. Also in a history OF China
nearly 5000 years before Christ an instrument
isspOllen Of that was used, which. placed i'm car
pointed 10 the south and enabled the imperial
army 10 direct its march during a thick fog
and surprise an enemy. Again, from an Ara
bian manuscript sea-compass is described, and
the manner Of communicating magnetism 20
the needle was TO make IL float on the water so
as 10 form the shape Of a cross" which may
no doubt bo tho cross of worship which is OF
great antiquity and almost universally found
in Peru, Central America, and IN India on pot
terry OF the bronze period.
Nor does II seem ~ all improbable that these
people, possessing such a knowledge Of naviga-
tiOn as 10 traverse the broad ocean, and having
a secondary god in all things beneficial TO
them, should worship this little instrument
possessing so much magic as well as supCrst-
ton, aud represent that god in their religious
signs by the form Of the instrument ITSELF AS
was the custom In other things.
The form and size Of the vessels in which
this prehistoric communication was accom-
pished can only b. conjecture, yet some idea
may be obtained from the following: la Ire
land n diver found Mt the bottom OF the river
near Waterford an old canoe made from a sim
Plo piece OF timber % feet long aud three feet
wide; ana Embedded IN the mud Ut the khlne
was discovered "a Celtic canoe >. feet long and
eight feet broad, made Of a single piece OF tim
Der followed out like an Indian canoe On
draining the lake in Lancashire, England.
eight canoes wcrc found resting on a bed OF
mari imbcdded IN the mud that were i'm figure
aud dimensions like those used IN America.
In Scotland a canoe 80 feet long and four feet
10 inches deep, made from one piece Of oak,
was found in the mud, sharp at the bow aud
broad at the storm; aud in another found in
Loeb Doom was discovered a war club and
STONE BATTLE-AX.
In Lake Neuchatel prehistoric canoe was
found followed out OF single trunk of oak,
large enough 10 carry a dozen men.
These small vessels could not have accom-
plishcd the long and stormy sea voyages made
IN prehistoric ages. Instead, the form aud
construction Of the ships employed in those
days were beyond that Of the hollow log or
small canoe. Cesar in his invasion of Gaul
describes the ships Of the Brit0ns as using iron
chains 10 secure their anchors and some miners
in Switzerland found 600 feet deep in the earth
a vessel provided with iron anchors and sails Of
linen. evidently PhGnician. But near the
port Of Lima Peru, some miners were working
a gold mine, and found a ship deeply buried.
on which were many characters very different
from The others. Ii was reported few years
ago that two miners discovered a ship deeply
iInbcddcf under the soil IN Tulare County,
Cal, nearly 90 feet long, 30 feet wide and built
of short lengths Of camphor wood. The plank
ing was secured by hard copper f.stcnings, and
had two kcels. 10 was turned up az stem and
stern and dccScd over, and provided with two
masts, the ends Of which were secured by