OF CREATION. 379 



branches. To guard against some of this risk, the 

 skull, the most exposed part, is found to exhibit more 

 than usual defence against injury. It is more cellular 

 than is usual with other animals, and the inner and 

 stronger plate is covered with an outer table and 

 intermediate walls, to resist a sudden and violent 

 shock. 



Thus does it appear, that, at a very recent geologi- 

 cal period, and perhaps not long before the actual 

 introduction of man upon the earth, a multitude of 

 strange and monstrous animals tenanted various dis- 

 tricts; that each group was, then, as it is now, dis- 

 tinct from the rest, although so organized as to per- 

 form the same part in nature; and yet more, that 

 each group possessed certain peculiar characters, ex- 

 hibiting a relation with the animals still inhabiting 

 the same districts, although the actual species are 

 greatly changed, being modified in form, in propor- 

 tions, and in habits. It would not be easy to imagine 

 sets of phenomena more instructive, or more sugges- 

 tive of new ideas and new views of creation ; nor 

 could any plan that we can conceive have indicated 

 so clearly the uniformity of action, and the multitude 

 of different means used to bring about the same great 

 end. We shall consider in the next chapter the ge- 

 neral conclusions that are suggested from this study 

 of ancient nature. 



