378 THE STORY OF THE EARTH AND MAN. 



the existing fauna of the northern hemisphere had 

 been established on the land. Then it was that man 

 was introduced by an act of creative power. In the 

 preceding changes a region of Western Asia had 

 been prepared for his residence. It was a table-land 

 at the head waters of the rivers that flow into the 

 Euxine, the Caspian, and the Persian Gulf. Its 

 climate was healthy and bracing, with enough of 

 variety to secure vigour, and not so inclement as to 

 exact any artificial provision for clothing or shelter. 

 Its flora afforded abundance of edible fruits, and was 

 rich in all the more beautiful forms of plant life; 

 while its clear streams, alluvial soil, and undulating 

 surface, afforded every variety of station and all that 

 is beautiful in scenery. It was not infested with the 

 more powerful and predacious quadrupeds, and its 

 geographical relations were such as to render this 

 exemption permanent. In this paradise man found 

 ample supplies of wholesome and nutritious food. 

 His requirements as to shelter were met by the 

 leafy bowers he could weave. The streams of Eden 

 afforded gold which he could fashion for use and 

 ornament, pearly shells for vessels, and agate for his 

 few and simple cutting instruments. He required 

 no clothing, and knew of no use for it. His body 

 was the perfection and archetype of the vertebrate 

 form, full of grace, vigour, and agility. His hands 

 enabled him to avail himself of all the products of 

 nature for use and pleasure, and to modify and adapt 

 them according to his inclination. His intelligence, 



