106 Observations Concerning Fossil Organic Remains. 
the primitive granite, the great frame-work of the earth 
ieaiei 
" at that period,—are destitute of every trace of fossil re- 
mains. This is the distinguishing trait of the rocks of this 
origin néarly atthe same epoch. "7 
As constant as is the relation between the antiquity of 
“strata, and the similarity and dissimilarity of fossil remains 
“with living beings, so much the less, or not at all, does there 
“exist @ six ity of climate, between these fossils and those 
of the living beings which they most resemble. Those which 
‘show this resemblance to existing animals, among the her- 
~biferous pachydermata, are the elephants, the rhinoceroses, 
the ippopotamuses, dic. ; and among the carnivorous, t 
“hyenas ; all of which exist at present in warm climates. We 
are then embarrassed. a singular phenomenon, since the 
“Temains of these animals are so widely dispersed, both in 
et and in the new world. Their great number, and 
a 
which they are found, seem to 
