90 PHILOSOPHY OF ZOOLOGY. 



and with the details of geognosy. When all these circum- 

 stances are duly considered, it need not appear surprising, 

 that the results hitherto obtained are so inconclusive, or 

 rather so remote from the truth. 



It may be stated, in opposition to the opinion against 

 which I am contending, that, in general, there are existing 

 species in this country, belonging to the same genera or 

 natural J'amilies, as tJiose which are found imbedded in the 

 strata of the earth in a Jbssil state. The Nautilus (of 

 Lin., including those which are spiral, and the straight 

 Orthocera), for example, is found in the oldest and the 

 newest rocks containing petrifactions. Several species 

 from the tropical seas occur in our public collections. But 

 it is not generally known, that, by the labours of Boys, 

 Walker, and Mo^;tagu, nearly thirty diiferent species 

 have been detected in a recent state, on our own shores. 

 It is true, that the recent tropical kinds are larger than 

 ovjr indigenous species, and in this character they resemble 

 the fossil species. But this circumstance is of no weight, 

 when considering the geographical distribution of different 

 species or genera*. The Anomiae (Lin.), common in a 

 fossil state, are also represented by many recent kinds in 

 our seas, and the same remark is applicable to the Echini, 

 Madreporse, and Milleporae. 



It may here be said, that the remains of animals which 

 do not now live in temperate regions, as the Elephant, 

 Rhinoceros, and Tapir, are found in a fossil state in such 

 districts. This objection, however, is of no great weight, 

 and derives its principal support from the prejudices as- 

 sociated with the appellations of the species now noticed. 



• The Moose-deer, which inhabits countries bordering on the Arctic 

 circle, exceeds the horse in size, while the Guinea-deer, and Meminna, living 

 within the tropics, arc not larger than a hare. 



