But the first people who were like ourselves lived so long ago that even their sagas, if they had any, are forgotten.

但是，和我们相似的原始人生活的年代太久远了，因此，有关他们的传说既使有如今也失传了。

either from gas or water, is pushing it.

这种巨大的压力来自地下天然气或水。

A recent article in a weekly newspaper, for instance,

例如，最近一家周报刊登了一篇文章，

it has to develop (partly by means of touch) the ability to judge roughly three-dimensonal distances.

儿童必须发展（部分通过触觉）粗略判断三维空间距离的能力。

He was, above all, a man who experimented:

他首先是个实验工作者，

while others rub their hands over his skin to the accompaniment of a monotonous and soothing chant.

其他人唱着单调的歌声用手抚摸象的皮肤。