THE ARGUMENT FROM PALAEONTOLOGY 55 



time ago, geologically speaking, the lion, bear, 

 rhinoceros, mammoth, and hippopotamus lived in 

 Britain. 



This evidence is of great importance, for it consists 

 of real remains of former inhabitants of the earth, 

 who stand in the same relation to the present fauna 

 as our Saxon or Norman ancestors do to ourselves ; 

 that is, they are the remains of the actual ancestors 

 of living animals, and must include among them, 

 were our collection complete, such ancestors of all 

 living animals. This is evidence of peculiar value, 

 and there is no gainsaying it. The true nature 

 of fossils was neglected and greatly misunderstood 

 until the early part of the present century ; but 

 since the time of Cuvier fossils have been collected 

 diligently, and large numbers have been obtained 

 from all parts of the earth. It is now known that 

 the fossil Mollusca are considerably more numerous 

 than those now living on the earth, and probably 

 fossil mammals are almost as numerous as recent 

 forms. The agfe of fossils cannot be determined 

 absolutely ; their relative age is, however, known, and 

 we are able to draw up tables giving the order and 

 sequence of events, though not the actual dates ; 

 sequences, moreover, that will apply not merely to 

 one, but, with certain reservations, to all parts of the 

 globe. 



In order to learn the lesson taught by fossils 

 let us take those found in England at different 

 periods. 



