Quadrupeds. 1595 



tions advanced in Mr. Richardson's clever pamphlet- on the fossil 

 deer — positions in which Mr. Richardson stood alone at the time of 

 their publication, and had to endure the opposition of some of the 

 most celebrated savans of the day. Amongst others we may mention 

 Professor 0\ven,t of London, who maintained that not only was the 

 giant deer not contemporary with man, but that he was created some 

 thousands of years prior to the existence of man upon the surface of 

 this globe. Mr. Richardson published his pamphlet in reply to the 

 views advocated by Professor Owen, and whatever doubt might then 

 have existed, as to which side the truth lay upon, we think that this 

 remarkable discovery is amply sufficient to establish the correctness 

 of Mr. Richardson's views, and to set this disputed question at rest 

 perhaps for ever. We confess that we rejoice at this, for Mr. 

 Richardson is not only our fellow-countryman and personal friend, 

 but an esteemed contributor lo our pages, on topics connected with 

 the zoology of the farm. While upon this subject, we think it not 

 irreveleut to adduce one or two facts that have been communicated to, 

 or have fallen under our own observation, and still further confirma- 

 tory of the correctness of Mr. Richardson's views. One of the most 

 extraordinary of these facts is, that some years ago, a portion of the 

 leg of an Irish giant deer, with a part of the tendons, skin, and hair 

 upon it, was exhumed, with other remains, from a deposit on the es- 

 tate of II. Grogan Morgan, Esq., of Johnstown Castle, county Wex- 

 ford, and is now in that gentleman's possession. This leg was lec- 

 tured upon at the time by Mr. Peile, veterinary surgeon, in Dublin. 

 This is a most important fact, and *ve wonder thai it has escaped Mr. 

 Richardson's attention, for he has not noticed it in his pamphlet. 



We regret to have to add that the above singular and most interest- 

 ing fragments have been suffered to leave this country — their legiti- 

 mate and proper position — Mr. Nolan having just left Ireland with 

 them for London, their destination being the British Museum. 



* Facts concerning the Irish Giant Deer, by H. D. Richardson. Dublin : 

 M'Glashan, 1846. 



f On the British Fossil Mammalia. London : Van Voorst, 1846. 



