270 WALKS AND TALKS. 



plains, through the later strata, and in some cases, a thousand 

 feet into the long-buried formations of the primitive Cordil- 

 lerau Laud. 



/ 



XL/VII. THE REIGN OR ICE. 



CONTINENTAL GLACIATION. 



THE gradual enlargement of the continent had ^brought it 

 now to the condition in which man was destined to make its 

 acquaintance. The gradual advancement of organic improve- 

 ment had now reached a stage where the next step must 

 bring man upon the theater of life. Even the animals which 

 man was destined to domesticate were already on the earth, 

 and awaiting the advent of their master. The forests too, 

 had assumed the aspect which was to become familiar to man, 

 and seemed to stand expectant of the being so long promised. 

 The whole earth seemed ready for that final stroke which 

 should consummate organic improvement, justify the physical 

 preparations through seous in progress, and explain nature's 

 long-continued appeals to intelligence and taste which had not 

 been in the world. 



But nature must yet pause. The continents intended for 

 civilized man lacked something yet to fit them for his advent. 

 Throughout Asia, Europe and North America, the continental 

 surface had become deteriorated by erosions and wastage tak- 

 ing place during the reign of mammals. The land had been 

 set apart for the use and convenience of this dynasty, and in 

 their service it had been exhausted. Each of the great domi- 

 nant dynasties in succession, had the continents for their use, 

 and in their behoof they were worn ont. For each new dy- 

 nasty a renovation was demanded. At the present juncture, 

 the soils had been reduced through wastage, to the condition 

 which we plainly see approaching apiin under the actions ex- 

 erted during the human reign. The rivers, long confined to 

 the same channels, had excavated deep gorges. Retired in 

 these their evaporation was checked, the clouds were starved 

 and the soils were robbed of their rains. Every tributary 



