334 J. D. Dana on American Geological History. 
fessor Guyot observes farther, that America, ever free, was the 
appointed land for this freedom and union,—of which its o 
plains, and oneness of structure, were a fit emblem; and that, 
although long without signs of progress or hope in its future, 
is land is to be the centre of hope and light to the world. 
In view of all these arrangements, man may well feel exalted. 
He is the last of the grand series. At his approach, the fierce 
tribes of the earth drew back, and the race dwindled to one- 
fourth its bulk and ferocity,—the huge Mastodons, Lions, and 
' Hyenas yielding place to other species, better fit to be his at- 
tendants, and more in harmony with the new creation. Partak- 
ing of the Divine image, all nature pays him tribute; the unt 
verse is his field of study; an eternity his future. Surely it is a 
high eminence on which he stands. 
Yet he is only one of the series; one individuality in the vast 
system. How vain the philosophy which makes the creature 
the God of nature, or nature its own author! Infinitely beyond 
man, infinitely beyond all created things, is that Being with 
m this system, and the combined systems of immensity, 
were as one purpose of His will.* ; 
* This Address, exclusive of the notes, is cited from the Proceedings of the Amer. 
Assoc. IXth Meeting at Providence, R. I. It was delivered by the author on retir- 
ing from the duties of President, 
