PREFACE. XV11 



VI. Primitive Epoch. — The strata of this group support all 

 the others, and appear therefore to be of antecedent formation. 

 They do not contain any organic remains, and have been con- 

 sidered as formed prior to the existence of animals and vegetables 

 on the earth. 



V. Carboniferous Epoch. — During this aera, in which ap- 

 pear many marine and fresh-water deposits, the earth seems to 

 have been peopled with a variety of animals and vegetables, of 

 genera similar to those of the subsequent epochs. There are 

 some genera, however, which seem to be peculiar to this sera, 

 as Orthocera. 



IV. Saliferous Epoch. — There are few organic remains con- 

 nected with this aera, and no genera peculiar to it. 



III. Cretaceous Epoch. — This era is characterised by the ab- 

 sence of the Producti, shells which abound in the carboniferous, 

 and even occur, though sparingly, in the saliferous epoch ; and 

 by the presence of the remains of the Paddled Reptiles and 

 Belemnites, which do not exist in the strata of any anterior or 

 subsequent epoch. Here the display commences of Ammonites, 

 Crustacea, and the carnivorous canaliculated molluscous ani- 

 mals ; and here, for the first time, are exhibited proofs of the 

 existence on the earth of insects, reptiles, birds, and even qua- 

 drupeds. 



II. Penultimate Epoch. — In this group there are several ge- 

 nera of quadrupeds peculiar to it, as the Palceotherium and 

 Anoplotherkim, in forms, however, approximating to such as 

 occur in the following group, and paving the way for the last 

 and noblest creation, over which Man was destined to bear the 

 sway. 



I. Modern Epoch. — This era, in a zoological point of view, 

 embraces Man, the existing races of animals and vegetables, and 

 the few species now extinct, as the Mammoth and Mastodon, of 

 which there is proof that they once were the coteniporaries of 

 the yet indigenous species. 



It may be supposed, by some, that the preceding statements 

 are at variance with the generally received interpretation of the 

 account of the Creation, as given by Moses. Four successive 

 creations and extinctions of animals and vegetables are here re- 



