GEOLOGY. 309 



approaching more and more, from the oldest to the 

 newest formations, to those of living bodies that now 

 exist on the surface. 



If we examine the secondary rocks, beginning with 

 the most ancient, the first organic remains that pre- 

 sent themselves are the aquatic plants, and large 

 reeds, but of species different from ours. To these 

 succeed madrepores, encrinites, and other aquatic 

 zoophytes of the simplest forms, and attached to 

 one spot, partaking in some measure of the nature of 

 vegetables. 



Posterior to these are orthoceratites, ammonites, 

 and other molluscae, still very simple in their forms, 

 and entirely different from any animals now known. 

 After these some fishes appear, and plants, consisting 

 of bamboos and ferns, increase, but still differing 

 from any existing ones. 



In the next period, with an increased number of 

 extinct species of shells and fishes, we first meet with 

 amphibious and oviparous quadrupeds, such as cro- 

 codiles and tortoises, and some reptiles, as serpents, 

 which prove that dry land now existed. 



As we approach the newest of the solid rock for- 

 mations, we find lamantins, phocse, and other ceta- 

 ceous and mammiferous sea animals, with some birds, 

 while in the newest of these formations we find the 

 remains of herbivorous land animals of extinct spe- 

 cies, the palaeotherium, anaplotherium, &c. and of 

 some birds, and fresh-water shells. 



In the lowest beds of loose soil, and in peat-bogs, 

 are found the remains of the elephant, rhinoceros, 

 hippopotamus, elk, &c., of different species from 

 those now existing, but appertaining to the same 

 genera. 



Lastly, the bones of species which are apparently 

 the same with those now alive, which are never found 

 except in the very latest alluvial depositions, in 

 peat-beds, in the fissures and caverns of certain 



