ARCTIC EUROPE, 290 
investigation of other classes, it is impossible to judge : 
for, even did our present very confined limits permit 
the enquiry, we should have to rely more upon theory 
than upon facts. Many of the quadrupeds originally 
dispersed over Europe, have already become extinct as 
natives, and the races of others are fast disappearing : 
we know not, in fact, the original and natural dispersion 
of these animals. Conclusions, drawn from such as are 
now only known in a fossil state, would be still more 
vague. Geographic ornithology is nearly exempt from 
both these objections: since the paucity of fossil re. 
mains referred to this class, proclaims how few species 
must have been extirpated. Birds, more than any other 
vertebrated animals, seem to have been the least affected 
by the Deluge, or by other changes calculated to modify 
their original dispersion. It naturally follows, that, in 
tracing the distribution of the feathered creation, we 
have selected that department of nature which has left 
us unshackled by geological controversy, and that which 
— from possessing the most authentic materials —is best 
fitted to illustrate our subject. 
(40.) The conclusions which we must arrive at, upon a 
review of the foregoing statements, are these : — First, | 
that the European province is strikingly characterised by | 
its peculiar animals, and sufficiently so to constitute it one 
of the primary zoological divisions of the world. Se- 
condly, that it occupies those countries which are the 
chief seat of the Caucasian race, with which its orni-. 
thology presents many singular and undeniable analogies. 
Thirdly, that these analogies are so remarkable, and so 
manifest, that we must conclude that the same ALMIGHTY 
Power has distributed both upon one uniform and har- 
monious plan. 
(41.) Having so far pointed out those peculiarities 
which entitle Europe to be considered one of the chief 
zoological divisions of the world, we shall now, viewing 
it in that light, take a rapid survey of its more particular 
features. Our observations will be arranged under the 
three divisions it naturally presents; namely, 1. the 
