Checked in its westward movement by the Atlantic, its current began to flow backwards towards its fountains, so that the Gallic portion of the Netherland population was derived from the original race in its earlier wanderings and from the later and refluent tide coming out of Celtic Gaul.

The modern appellation of the Walloons points to the affinity of their ancestors with the Gallic, Welsh, and Gaelic family.

The Belgae were in many respects a superior race to most of their blood-allies.

They were, according to Caesar's testimony, the bravest of all the Celts.

This may be in part attributed to the presence of several German tribes, who, at this period had already forced their way across the Rhine, mingled their qualities with the Belgic material, and lent an additional mettle to the Celtic blood.