Principles of Geology. 17 
over the more recent; and again, pieces of the more recent washed 
upon those which are more ancient. Either of these examples is 
sufficient, because it proves that all the strata were completed before 
the period of the deluge. | 
Secondly: The deluge happened after parts of the earth were 
dry, and inhabited by land animals. On this point the evidence is 
so plain, simple, and convincing, that he must be indeed strongly arm- 
ed in scepticism who does not yield to its force. For we find in 
gravel accumulated by the deluge, the bones of many land animals, 
as the elephant, hippopotamus, horse, ox, deer, &c. Therefore, it 
is perfectly plain, that such animals lived before the flood. 
What a noble field of inquiry does this comprehensive truth open 
before us! To study the remains of a multitude of creatures which 
have been extinct for some thousands of years, and whose living 
analogues dwell only in distant and different countries. Cold as is 
our climate, and now utterly unfit to maintain the existence of such 
animals, the time has been, if we rightly understand the history of 
the earth, when elephants and hippopotami, tigers and hyznas, lived 
here together, and here together met the common doom of all the 
inhabitants of earth, destruction by overflowing water. And not in- 
considerable was the number thus destroyed ; for almost every gravel 
pit and diluvial cliff, and limestone cavern, abound with their remains; 
some of which, by their unusual proportions, indicate the gigantic size 
and formidable strength of antediluvian quadrupeds. By comparing 
lem with existing species, we are enabled to conjecture the ante- 
diluvian condition of the world, with what vegetables it was clothed, 
and with what climate it was blessed. No scope need be given to 
fancy, the truth of analogy, the known conformity of nature, are sure 
Suides to the geologist. 
0 discuss the interesting questions arising out of this magnificent 
subject, would be deviating from the elementary plan of this chapter. 
© must, therefore, refer to the works of Cuvier and Buckland for 
full illustrations of the forms and habits of antediluvian animals, and 
the circumstances under which they are discovered; whether in 
Stavel-pits inland, and in cliffs by the sea; or in caves and fissures of 
limestone, into which they were dragged to death by their ravenous 
Contemporaries, or fell by accident, whilst browzing among the rocks, 
Whose Open chasms the deluge has since concealed. 
But it will be demanded, What changes in the surface of our planet 
Were occasioned by these devastating waters? Was the antediluvian 
Vol. XXL—No. 1. 
