68 Dr Fleming on the Climate of' the Arctic Regions. 



place, however briefly. There are more species of animals in 

 tropical than in arctic countries, and better collections of spe- 

 cimens of these in our public establishments. Whenever, there- 

 fore, we attempt to trace the resemblance of a new, recent, or 

 extinct animal to those which have been identified, we may 

 expect to find analogous forms most readily where the species 

 and the specimens are most numerous. All this leaning one way 

 may point out generical affinity, but, in reference to the point 

 at issue, the physical di.<itribution of species, it offers no assistance 

 whatever. My views " of the doctrine of chances," therefore, 

 do not probably differ much from those of my opponent, who 

 does not seem to be aware that he throws with loaded dice, and 

 that the " cumulative" evidence which is cast up, though highly 

 useful to the systematical zoologist, has hitherto betrayed the 

 unsuspecting geologist into error. 



I am at a loss to comprehend in what way Mr Conybeare 

 has any right to censure me, on account of the difference of 

 my " geological notions, from the speculations of Professor 

 Buckland." I am not aware of any remarkable difference in 

 geological opinion betwixt us, with the exception of the " di- 

 luvian hypothesis." The views of Cuvier, on this subject, I 

 have always considered as erroneous, and 1 did regret that so 

 acute and energetic a geologist as Professor Buckland should 

 liave been deceived by them. The learned Professor's zeal for 

 a favourite vision, led him to provoke me to a reply in the 28th 

 Number of the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, April 1826, — 

 a reply which my friends assure me gave the death-blow to the 

 diluvian hypothesis. Certain at least it is, that, since that time, 

 with the exception of a very few individuals who may still be 

 found on stilts, amidst the " retiring waters," the opponents 

 of the hypothesis have become as numerous as were formerly its 

 supporters, and the period is probably not far distant, when the 

 " Reliquia^ diluvianae" of the Oxonian geologist will be quoted 

 as an example of the idola speciLS. 



When we examine any genus of animals or plants, we find 

 the species differing more or less in habit. Whatever species 

 we assume as the type, the others will be found varying more 

 or less in form, and in their relation to heat and moisture. If 

 we consider the typical species as limited to a certain isothermal 

 line, others will be found departing therefrom ; and in many 



