THE FOSSIL REMAINS OF VERTEBRATED 

 ANIMALS. 



By EDWARD PIDGEON, Esq, 



FOSSIL MAMMALIA. 



Researches into Fossil Osteology are comparatively of very 

 recent date, and almost all that they possess of a scientific 

 form is owing to the exertions of the illustrious naturalist whose 

 steps we have thus far pursued, though at a very humble 

 distance. It was reserved for him to ascertain, for the most 

 part, the genera and species to which the osseous remains of 

 terrestrial animals, so abundantly discovered in the superficial 

 strata of this planet, are attached. Prepared for the execution 

 of this Herculean task by the profoundest study of comparative 

 anatomy, and the natural history of existing, he was enabled to 

 characterize with precision the fragments of extinct species, to 

 reconstruct those ancient animals, and present to our astonished 

 view the wonders of former creations. More certain data have 

 been thus obtained for the revolutions and duration of the 

 globe ; geology has ceased to be a romance, and a solid basis 

 is at length established for a rational theory of the earth. Our 

 intention is to present to our readers, in an abridged form, the 

 result of such researches, not only of the Baron, but of every 

 other modern naturalist who has investigated the subject ; but, 

 before we enter on any specific details, it will be necessary to 

 take a brief general view of the revolutions which the surface 

 of this globe has undergone, and the consequent alterations 

 which have taken place in animal existence. Our limits will 



