40 FOSSIL MAMMALIA. 



has observed in the Ossemens Fossiles, as by this means the 

 reader will be better enabled to understand the order of suc- 

 cession, and the respective geological positions of the species 

 described. 



Note. — As, in our earlier part of this essay, we have stated, in defer- 

 ence to the opinion of Baron Cuvier, that the existing- causes which now 

 modify the earth's surface are insufficient to produce catastrophes on such 

 a scale as that of those we have been surveying-, it is but justice to mention 

 that this point has been mooted, with much force of argument, in a very 

 able article on the present subject in the Quarterly Review for Septem- 

 ber, 1826. Some very strong- facts are there adduced, relative to the 

 action of earthquakes and volcanoes to a very g-reat extent, and also proofs 

 of derangement in comparatively recent strata, which, though partial, was 

 evidently so violent as to prove that the disturbing forces still existed in 

 all their pristine vigour. We must, however, waive any further discussion 

 of this kind, and content ourselves with referring our readers to the ar- 

 ticle in question, which, for its extent, contains as lucid an epitome of all 

 the latest information on this interesting topic as we have ever had the 

 pleasure to peruse. 



