470 On the Creation, Diffusion, and 



namely, from the spot where the ark rested on the subsi- 

 dence of the flood. I am however by no means prepared to 

 admit that these species did necessarily exist previous to 

 that event, and I have instanced them merely as illustrating 

 my argument ; neither am I willing to admit that individuals 

 of every species which lived before the flood were taken 

 into the ark, for I shall take occasion hereafter to prove 

 the contrary. 



But an argument might with a trifling degree of ingenuity 

 be brought forward, to show that in the primitive epoch 

 spoken of, no animals or plants of a cold or northern clime 

 were then in being. This argument indeed would find ample 

 support from the fossil phenomena of the secondary strata, 

 the whole of which can be referred only to a climate analogous 

 to the tropics of our present time. If then, the plants and 

 animals of that golden era in the history of our planet are 

 found to be such, as, reasoning analogically, could only 

 flourish beneath the smile of warm and sunny skies, we are 

 naturally lead to conclude that climates and their produc- 

 tions were mutually adapted to each other; and in conse- 

 quence, that the primeval condition of the temperature of 

 the earth's climates, was wholly that of a tropical character. 



If such reasoning be admissible, and the fossil phenomena 

 of our strata are allowed to furnish data by which we may 

 satisfactorily determine this point, then can we have no 

 hesitation in declaring that previous to the fall of man, or 

 the first geological revolution, the climates of the earth 

 were wholly tropical, and no animals or plants now peculiar 

 to the colder regions were then in existence. 



Such reasoning too will show us that no mountain station 

 in the primitive focus, as suggested by Linnasus, was neces- 

 sary, since there were neither animals nor plants adapted to 

 such a situation. 



On this subject, however, I shall have occasion to speak 

 again hereafter, and shall therefore for the present proceed 



