MAMMALIA OF PLIOCENE PEK.IODS. 81 



tlie evidences illustrating the state of animal life, during the 

 period immediately preceding the formation of this diluvium. 

 I must refer to that work for details respecting the nature 

 and habits of the then existing population of the earth. It 

 appears that at this epoch, the whole surface of Europe was 

 densely peopled by various orders of Mammalia ; that the 

 numbers of the herbivora were maintained in due proportion 

 by the controlHng influence of carnivora ; and that the indi- 

 viduals of every species were constructed in a manner fitting 

 each to its own enjoyment of the pleasures of existence, and 

 placing it in due and useful relations to the animal and ve- 

 getable kingdoms by which it was surrounded. 



great part of the northern hemisphere, and that this event was followed by 

 the sudden disappearance of a large number of the species of terrestrial 

 quadrupeds, which had inhabited these regions in the period immediately 

 preceding it. I also ventured to apply the name Diluvium to the superficial 

 beds of gravel, clay, and sand, which appear to have been produced by this 

 great irruption of water. 



The description of tlie facts tliat form the evidence presented in this 

 volume, is kept distinct from the question of the identity of the event 

 attested by them, with any deluge recorded in history. Discoveries 

 which have been made, since the publication of tiiis work, show that 

 many of the animals therein described, existed during more than one geo- 

 logical period preceding the catastrophe by which they were extirpated. 

 Hence it seems more probable, that the event in question, was the last of 

 the many geological revolutions that have been produced by violent ir- 

 ruptions of water, rather than the comparatively tranquil inundation de- 

 scribed in the Inspired Narrative. 



It has been justly argued, against the attempt to identify these two 

 great historical and natural phenomena, that as the rise and fall of the 

 waters of the Mosaic deluge are described to have been, gradual, and of 

 short duration, they would have produced comparatively little change on 

 the surface on the country they overflowed. The large preponderance of 

 extinct species among the animals we find in caves, and in superficial de- 

 posites of diluvium, and the non-discovery of human bones along with them, 

 afford other strong reasons for referring these species to a period anterior to 

 the creation of man. This important point, however, cannot be considered 

 as completely settled, till more detailed investigations of the newest mem- 

 bers of the Pliocene, and of the diluvial and alluvial formations shall have 

 taken place. 



zis-f 



