— 179 — 



connected) affords to man a greater and a more certain 

 knowledge of the formation and constitution of the 

 Earth he inhabits. Our verdure-clad mountains which 

 stand boldly out like everlasting preachers, the simple 

 gravel which is constantly trodden upon by our hasty 

 footsteps, tell us of ages gone by, and were we for a 

 moment to pause and consider the constitution of 

 each, a world of mystery and wonder would be revealed 

 to our amazing minds, and with the Poet, we are wont 

 to give them " a moral life," we would " see them 

 feel " "or linked to some feeling " and " all we behold 

 would respire with inward meaning." These words 

 are so true that the student is struck with admiration 

 at the chronological and physiological harmony which 

 pervades throughout the various Geological ages, and 

 in his bewilderment at the scheme of vital evolution 

 beginning with the animal world of the Cambrian Era 

 to the Tertiary and current Eras, he finds it utterly 

 impossible to attempt to dissociate from Nature's 

 operations the everlasting presence of a Supreme 

 Intelligence. 



Before considering the Period of Era which con- 

 cerns the subject of this Paper, allow me to refor 

 briefly to the Periods or Eras which preceded and 

 those which succeed it. It is desirable, in such cases 

 as this, that we should be acquainted in some measure 

 at least, with the preceding and succeeding Eras of 

 the one occupying our attention, so that we may be 

 better able to enjoy the light bursting forth in greater 



