[23] See a very helpful book, “Ponts en Maçonnerie,” by E. Degrand, Inspecteur Général des Ponts et Chaussées, and Jean Résal, Ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées--Two vols., illustrated; Béranger, Paris; price 40 francs. [24] See note on p. 6. [25] See the brilliant sketch by Frank Brangwyn, and the story of the bridge on p. 254. [26] See the picture on p. 293. [27] Much more: we shall see (pp. 156, 160) that a pointed vault was built in ancient Egypt. The Babylonians also built pointed arches and vaults. [28] Twizel Bridge, over the Till, has a very beautiful arch which is slightly pointed; it has a span of 90 ft. 7 ins., and a distance of 46 ft. separates the parapet from water-level. Tradit ion says that a lady of the Selby family built this bridge, one of the most famous in England. [29] Read the delightful monograph on Kirkstall Abbey by Sir W. H. St. John Hope and Mr. Bilson of Hull. [30] “The History and Antiquities of Durham.” Newcastle, MDCCLXXXV. [31] It is said that he charged eightpence for the passage of a dead Jew! A large sum in those days. A Jewish cemetery was just beyond the bridge.--W.S.S. [32] “English Wayfaring Life in the Middle Ages,” pp. 45 and 47. See also “Archæologia,” Vols. XXVII, p. 77; XXIX, p. 380. Also the histories of Essex. [33] See Darwin’s “Descent of Man,” Part I, chapter III. [Illustration: AT ZUTPHEN IN HOLLAND] CHAPTER THE SECOND MAN AS THE MIMIC OF NATURE I PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS We have taken a glance at the bridges made by Nature (pp. 3-4), and now we have to consider their influence on the genesis and development of handicraft. This difficult study has been neglected by men of science; not even Darwin said a word about natural bridges, though they were models to be copied by the sedulous ape in primitive men; and so we must try to be as thorough as possible, within the limits set by a brief chapter.