24 



CASTOROLOGIA. 



tions made by antiquarians between stone, bronze and iron ages, and 

 under the former between palseolithic and neolithic, are merely of 

 local significance and connected with no physical or vital changes of 

 geological importance. The real geological distinction is that of 

 Palaeocosmic, Post-glacial or Antediluvian man on the one hand 

 and Neocosmic, Recent or Post-diluvian on the other. The Palaeo- 

 cosmic men have been divided in two races, the Canstadt or Nean- 

 derthal type and the Engis or Cromagnon type. Both of these were 

 contemporaneous with the mammoth, the Tichorhine Rhinoceros 

 and other Post-glacial animals now extinct. It is probable that they 

 may be ultimately identified with the ruder tribes of the historical 

 antediluvian period, and that the physical changes by which they 

 and some other animals seem to have been destroj^ed, were the same 

 with those recorded in the ancient history and traditions of all the 

 older races of men." 



While yet there are many fascinating problems which geology 

 might solve, we must pass on to consider the changes in recent 

 fauna brought about by the advance of civilization, and for the pre- 

 sent we very reluctantly leave the facts and the fables concerning 

 the Great Beavers. 



I<OWER JAW OF TROGONTHERIUM CUVIKRl. 

 (half natural sizk) after owkn. 



