OF CREATION. 253 



sent the newest chalk period. If, indeed, any traces 

 exist of the intervening deposits between the true 

 chalk and the lower tertiary beds, they must pro- 

 bably be sought for either in south-eastern Europe, 

 or in those parts of Africa and Asia which form the 

 connecting link between India and the Mediterra- 

 nean. 



The Geology of the newer secondary period in 

 these districts, although at present indistinctly work- 

 ed out, is gradually assuming interest and impor- 

 tance. It is true, that, in spite of many appear- 

 ances, some of them very deceptive, there is not 

 yet distinct evidence of a passage from the secondary 

 to the tertiary period ; but there is a greater simila- 

 rity in the general aspect of the two faunas, a more 

 distinct approximation in the proportionate numbers 

 of different species, and a more marked resemblance 

 in the prevailing types, than has been elsewhere ob- 

 served. Perhaps the best and the most important 

 similarities are those which occur in the fossils of deep 

 water deposits, and the recent publication of an ad- 

 mirable monograph on the cretaceous fossils of south- 

 eastern India'"" clearly shows that there exists valu- 

 able material of all kinds for great and interesting 

 generalisation on this subject, and that, in all pro- 

 bability, time and careful investigation will bring to 

 light other evidence, and perhaps ultimately afford 

 the link which is now missing. 



* Geol. Trans., 2nd ser., vol. vii. p. 85 et seq. 



