M. Frayssinous's Defence of Christianity. 89 



prove that the proper temperature of the globe, and a uniform 

 mean temperature much more elevated than that which now 

 reigns at its surface, may of themselves have given rise to the 

 vegetation of tliat period. In fact, the remains of this vegeta- 

 tion occurring near the Pole, and under the Line, shew that it 

 was equally uniform, — that it was analogous to that which now 

 covers the equatorial zones, — and that thus the differences with 

 regard to the vegetable productions of the globe, arising at the 

 present day from differences of latitude, did not then exist. 

 Every thing proves that, in this original climate, the periodical 

 seasons of our present climates, depending upon the obliquity of 

 the ecliptic, and the preponderance acquired by the solar heat, 

 had no existence. The proper heat of the earth's surface ha- 

 ving a great elevation, the influence of the sun's heat, admit- 

 ting its atmosphere to have been already in a state of combus- 

 tion, would have been scarcely, if at all perceptible. What we 

 have said renders all explanation unnecessary respecting the 

 fourth day, the period when the stars became visible, and shone 

 in the firmament. With regard to the fifth, the order of crea- 

 tions therein enumerated is in perfect accordance with the 

 order in which the fossil remains of the various races of animals 

 occur. Animal life was first developed in the bosom of the seas, 

 then in the air, reptiles followed, quadrupeds next, and lastly 

 man. This succession, besides being proved by direct facts, is 

 conformable with the various phases through which the earth's 

 surface must have passed, to be successively adapted for receiv- 

 ing the different races of living beings. We long ago proved, 

 1*^, That the analogy of station and destination, in other words, 

 of the conditions of existence, and of the office to be be fulfilled, 

 is the general law which has presided over the distrihution of life 

 upon the globe. 2c7, That the changes which life has undergone 

 on its surface have been graduated, but that life itself has not been 

 renewed ; that the races have not been modified, but that, in pro- 

 portion as the conditions of existence changed, or as new ones 

 were formed, new species occupied the place of those which were 

 no longer able to exist, and which had no longer an object to ful- 

 fil ; and that they went on, up to the period when, with respect to 

 each part of the surface in succession, an equilibrium was esta- 

 blished between the influencing 'causes. The animals of these 



