50 



At present, the known facts indicate that the American beds 

 containing human remains, and works of man, are as old as the 

 Pliocene of Europe. The existence of Man in the Tertiary 

 period seems now fairly established. 



In looking back over the history of Palaeontology, much 

 seems to have been accomplished ; and yet the work has but 

 just begun. A small fraction only of the earth's surface has 

 been examined, and two large continents are waiting to be 

 explored. The " imperfection of the geological record," so 

 often cited by friends and foes, still remains, although much 

 improved ; but the future is full of promise. In filling out 

 this record, America, I believe, will do her full share, and 

 thus aid in the solution of the great problems now before us. 



I have endeavored to define clearly the different periods 

 in the history of Palaeontology. If I may venture, in conclu- 

 sion, to characterize the present period in all departments of 

 science, its main feature would be a belief m universal laws. 

 The reign of Law, first recognized in the physical world, has 

 now been extended to Life, as well. In return, Life has given 

 to inanimate nature the key to her profounder mysteries — 

 Evolution, which embraces the universe. 



What is to be the main characteristic of the next period ? 

 ~No one now can tell. But if we are permitted to continue in 

 imagination the rapidly converging lines of research pursued 

 to-day, they seem to meet at the point where organic and 

 inorganic nature become one. That this point will yet be 

 reached, I cannot doubt. 



