236 Scientific Intelligence. [Sept. 



I leave to our able geologists the elucidation of the extraordinary 

 causes, which originally placed this unexpected visitor in its narrow 

 cell, involving, as the question does, phenomena of no small interest, 

 both in a geological and chronological point of view. My present 

 object is, to submit for consideration, an idea with which my own 

 mind is pretty freely impressed, and which, I think, derives consider- 

 able strength from this unexpected discovery ; and it will afford me 

 much pleasure if the subject is taken up by some able hand, who may 

 possess opportunity of collecting facts tending to elucidate the case. 



The idea I would throw out for consideration (or rather for scien- 

 tific investigation) is, whether the Toad in question, was not incased 

 in its stone mansion before the f ally and consequently, at a period of 

 the world's history, when the atmosphere it breathed was not im- 

 pregnated with the seeds of mortality. 



We have every reason to believe, that many of the fossils found 

 embedded in the earth, have been so from a period anterior to the 

 deluge j and we have no proof that any of the animals which have 

 been found alive in an embedded state, were so placed at any period, 

 since the very earliest part of our world's history ; moreover, we have 

 yet had no positive proof that animals would now really exist if 

 enclosed in stone, clay, or any close substance for a lengthened period. 

 We seem thus, to be led to something like the conclusion, that the 

 Toad now brought to view, and other animals found in somewhat 

 similar circumstances, were actually so placed or embedded, prior to 

 the change which came upon the world at the fall of man ; and if 

 this fact be established by satisfactory evidence, are we not justified 

 in drawing therefrom, a strong proof of the truth of scripture history. 

 That inspired record states, in simple, but emphatic language, 

 " Cursed be the ground for thy sake," now, how could this curse, 

 involving as it does, liability to sickness and death all who breathe 

 the tainted atmosphere, be passed on the ground (or earth) so natu- 

 rally, as through the medium of the atmosphere, thus, rendering it 

 the instrument of carrying the seeds of dissolution round the surface 

 of the globe. 



If we can arrive at the conclusion, that all animals found in an 

 embedded state, have been so enclosed from a period interior to the 

 fall of man, if we also find that animals now similarly encased cannot 

 exist, we thus arrive at a most important fact, namely, a direct geo- 

 logical proof of the fall, and consequently of the truth of scripture 

 history. 



The fifteen years experiment now in progress for preserving animal 

 life in an enclosed or embedded state, will tend much, either to con- 

 firm or disprove this point. 



Meantime, I have only to express my firm persuasion, that science 

 as it advances, will in its brighter and higher discoveries, lead to the 

 development of that harmony, which ought ever to appear, and I 

 doubt not, will be found to subsist betwixt the laws of nature, and 

 the statement contained in the revelation given us by nature's God. 



With best wishes, believe me, my dear Sir, yours very truly, 



ANDREW POLLOCK. 



