I.ECT. v.] THE FIRST BEAST-NAMER. 127 



those of the Metatheria or Marsupials. Ouce beyond 

 these lower forms, however, we soon find ourselves in 

 the midst of types, which, if very unlike our modern 

 Insectivora, are yet much more unlike the higher forms 

 of beasts now existing. The four- or five-toed feet, the 

 simple tooth-pattern, the generalised condition, indeed, 

 of all the parts, and the very small brain cavity seen in 

 their remains, show us that we are only just above the 

 Metatheria. The commonly received opinion of the 

 multitude is, that the first-recorded beast-namer was 

 contemporary with all these extinct forms, and also 

 that they were his, and that he put either his brand, 

 or his ear-mark, upon them all. 



All the evidence lies the other way. There is every 

 reason to believe that that first zoolos^ist was familiar 

 with the beasts whose forms are so well known to us 

 now — Lions, Bears, Horses, Cows, and Sheep. But 

 such large and small cattle as he was, and as we 

 are now, fiimiliar with, were not to be seen in 

 the days of the years of which we speak. In 

 those days, no shepherds kept watch over tlieir flocks 

 l)y night — Sheep were not, and the paw of the Lion 

 and the paw of the Bear had not been developed. 

 It is evident that we must, in imagination, wait for a 

 great time whilst the earth is preparing for these cul- 

 minating tjrpes ; for some twelve thousand feet of fossili- 

 ferous and other rocks have gradually been laid down 

 since the first Eocene types of mammals appeared. The 



