526 THE NATURAL UTSTORY REVIEW. 



For instance, in describing one of tlie most important caverns, that 

 of Chaflaud, M. Brouillet says that the remains comprised bones 

 of the ox or aurochs, the horse, ass, hyaena, bear, wolf, dog, fox, 

 hare, rabbit, and many small rodents. Now, without referring to 

 the other species mentioned, it is well known that the ass was not 

 introduced into Europe until a comparatively recent period. Agaiu, 

 in the G-rotte aux Eadets, he mentions remains of the domestic 

 fowl, which is also a species of recent introduction. M. Meillet 

 does not appear to be much more conversant with Zoology than 

 M. Brouillet, if at least we may judge from the fact that he 

 ranges the weasel among the rodents. The worked implements 

 found by M. Brouillet in the caverns, some of which would otherwise 

 be extremely interesting, are unfortunately, as we shall presently see, 

 open to doubt for another reason. Perhaps, therefore, the most 

 interesting part of M. Brouillet's work is that in which he favours 

 us with his views as to the Geological History of the quaternary 

 period. He is a firm believer in cataclysms, but appears to be a 

 little dissatisfied with the deluge of Noah. " Personne," he tells us, 

 *' ne nie le deluge de Noe, au contraire, tout le confirm e, et les tradi- 

 " tions et les faits Geologiques. Mais s'il nous dit a peu pres I'age des 

 " societes qui lui sout posterieures, il ne nous dit rien de celui qu'avait 

 "le genre humain quand Dieu voulut le punir de ses desordres." 



"We do not deny Noah's deluge, but we do deny that there is 

 any single Geological fact which confirms it. Those who believe 

 in it must rely upon tradition. But if the Deluge does not tell us 

 the age of the human race, " quand Dieu voulut le punir de ses 

 desordres," this is of the less importance, inasmuch as M. Brouillet, 

 with the assistance of M. Meillet, supplies the omission, and reveals 

 to us some new deluges which give us, as we shall see, the most 

 exact information upon the subject. The first European deluge 

 ^' parent j" modestly observes M. Brouillet, "avoir ete occasionne 

 " par le soulevement des montagnes de Norvege." It was not until 

 after this deluge that man appeared in Europe. The second European 

 deluge was caused by the elevation of the Alps. The Asiatic or 

 MosaicDeluge was subsequent, " aux deux cataclysmesEuropeennes," 

 aud was " partiel et non universel, comme le dit le livre de Moise." 

 Being, therefore, partial, and not having extended to our Continent, 

 the inhabitants of Europe escaped the misfortunes which fell upon 

 those of Asia. " 11 me semtle," adds M. Brouillet, and we are not 

 disposed to deny it, " que ces suppositions sont tout aussi admis- 



