98 EXPLANATIONS, 



of fossils, summons Cuvier, Agassiz, and Owen to 

 express their opinions against the theory of de- 

 velopment. The first " again and again affirms 

 that the extinct fossil species were not produced 

 by any continued natural organic law from other 

 species." His French opponents tried, according 

 to the reviewer, to overturn his conclusion by ex- 

 periments in cross breeding and the ransacking of 

 ancient tombs. And they talked contemptuousl} 

 of la cloture du siecle de Cuvier ; for which they fall 

 under a reference to the fable of the ass and the 

 dead lion. Now, I disclaim all responsibility for 

 the experiments and language of the French theo- 

 risers on this subject. But, while I respect Cuvier, 

 I must not concede too much even to his opinion. 

 He was, after all, but a man, with the common 

 liability to prejudices. I would, with all due re- 

 verence for the illustrious Baron, remind my re- 

 viewer of an opinion which the former expressed 

 in 1826, that a deluge had occurred about six 

 thousand years ago, which broke down and made 

 to disappear the countries which had before been 

 inhabited by men, and the species of animals witli 

 which we are best acquainted. Ten years after this 

 belief was expressed by Cuvier, I find Dr. Buck- 

 land quietly withdrawing his adherence to it in 



