1867.] Louis Figuier. 175 



number of mammotlis found frozen in Siberia. On this question 

 again, an acquaintance with Lyell's ' Principles ' would be of much 

 service, but we cannot dwell on the subject. He seems to be at a 

 loss, too, for any theory that will explain the existence of this 

 intense cold, which he thinks came on so suddenly. Several astro- 

 nomical theories are discussed, none of which he adopts. No dimi- 

 nution in the calorific power of the sun took place at this time, nor 

 would any modification of the physical geography of the globe, 

 that he is aware of, be adequate to produce this excessively cold 

 climate; but this is the very direction in which he should have 

 sought for an approximate explanation. 



From considerations based upon a profound and comprehensive 

 knowledge of the present physical geography of the globe, and the 

 fluctuations in the relative position of sea and land indicated by the 

 history of the sedimentary deposits, Sir Charles Lyell concludes that 

 in past ages of the earth there might be, without reference to astro- 

 nomical causes, such gradual changes brought about in the physical 

 geography of the globe as to have at one period so high a tem- 

 perature, prevailing all over the earth as to banish all traces 

 of snow and glaciers, even from the highest mountains; and at 

 another such an intensity of cold as might render the whole earth 

 uninhabitable. 



In the last chapter of the work M. Figuier treats of the origin 

 of the human race, and of the Asiatic deluge. He does not believe 

 in the ape-origin of man. The first man was placed on the earth 

 by the Creator in the neighbourhood of the Euphrates. " There is 

 no doubt," he says,* " that primitive man passed through a period 

 in which he had to contend for existence with ferocious beasts, and 

 to live in a savage state in the woods and savannas where Provi- 

 dence had placed him ; but this period of his existence came to an 

 end, and man, an eminently social being, by combining in groups 

 animated by the same interests and the same desires, soon found 

 means to intimidate the animals, to triumph over the elements, to 

 protect himself from the innumerable perils which surround him, 

 and to subdue to his rule the other inhabitants of the earth." 

 This period in man's history, as it is held by the author, is the 

 subject of one of his illustrations which we have selected for 

 insertion, not, however, as a representation of what may be sup- 

 posed to have been his appearance at that stage of his existence, 

 but as an example of the admirable illustrations accompanying 

 the work. It is impossible, in the present state of our knowledge, 

 to " restore " man as he appeared along with the hairy elephant, 

 the hyena, and the cave-bear. M. Figuier then describes the 

 cave-deposits, peat-beds, shell-mounds, and lacustrine habitations, 

 and discusses the evidence of the contemporaneity of man and 

 certain extinct animals. 



* P. 407. 



