336 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



historical epoch" commenced. We are further told, that 

 during the earliest stages of this historical period vast 

 forests probably covered a great part of the area now occu- 

 pied by the British Isles, out of the remains of which the 

 great peat-bogs are partly formed. It surprises us to hear 

 of ancient forests of the Spruce Fir (Pinus Abies) having 

 existed on the coast of Norfolk, which tree is now no longer 

 an inhabitant of our island, but is only to be found in the 

 far north. 



In the days of those forests such animals as hyenas and 

 tigers, rhinoceroses and others, were natives of these islands, 

 and the reindeer ranged nearly as far south as 52 of lati- 

 tude. 



If our minds have been accustomed to contemplate the 

 almighty power of our Creator with awe and reverence, 

 when we read in Holy Scripture what it has pleased Him 

 to reveal to us of a portion only (as we must believe) of 

 His doings, revealed, as it would seem, as being more 

 particularly connected with the history of the human race, 

 how greatly are these feelings increased when we hear of 

 traces still remaining of many rernodellings of the earth, 

 each different state lasting through long ages, and one fol- 

 lowing another in an almost intelligible succession. 



