14 - • 



it is remembered that the secondary formations of the 

 crust of the earth, were of rocks of this character, and 

 that the earth's temperature was high, it is seen that an 

 immense quantity of carbonic acid must have^been dis- 

 charged from the earth, and filled the atmosphere with 

 an element well calculated to nourish a numerous and 

 gigantic race of plants. Looking into the remains found 

 among the rocks of this period, we see that such a race 

 was produced ; that it was limited in the capacity of 

 re-production, and not suitable as food for man. This 

 race seems, therefore, to have been formed for the sin-* 

 gle occasion. While nourished by a superabundant 

 carbonic acid, it consumed it, gradually reducing its 

 volume, and thus preparing the way for animal life. 



4. If the vegetation of which we have spoken, was 

 designed for the occasion, of course, as the quantity of 

 carbonic acid was thus gradually consumed, the vege- 

 tation became useless. If it had died and rotted, new 

 carbonic acid w^duld have resulted from its slow de- 

 composition, and the end of its consumption been de- 

 feated. How was it disposed of? 



1. By Providence calling into existence, as we see 

 by their various remains, a race of gigantic animals,* 

 by their habits and capacities, adapted to the destruc- 

 tion of vegetable matter ; and capable of living in an 

 excess of heat and moisture, unaffected by ihe poiso- 

 nous atmosphere of the period. 



2. By producing various convulsions, submerging 

 this vegetation under accumulations of mud and sand, 

 subjecting it to subterraneous heat, and thus giving rise 



Palajolherium, Anoplothcrium, &;c. 



