The picture which geology holds up to our view of North America 

 during the Tertiary ages are in all respects, but one, more attractive 

 and interesting than could be drawn from its present aspects. Then a 

 warm and genial climate prevailed from the Gulf to the Arctic Sea; 

 the Canadian highlands were higher, but the Rocky Mountains lower 

 and less broad. Most of the continent exhibited an undulating sur- 

 face, rounded hills and broad valleys covered with forests grander 

 than any of the present day, or wide expanses of rich savannah, over 

 which roamed countless herds of animals, many of gigantic size, of 

 which our present meager fauna retains but a few dwarfed represen- 

 tatives. Noble rivers flowed through plains and valleys, and sea-like 

 lakes, broader and more numerous than those the continent now 

 bears, diversified the scenery. Through unnumbered ages the seasons 

 ran their ceaseless course, the sun rose and set, moons waxed and 

 waned over this fair land, but no human eye was there to mark its 

 beauty, nor human intellect to control and use its exuberant fertility. 

 Flowers opened their many-colored petals on meadow and hill-side, 

 and filled the air with their perfumes, but only for the delectation of 

 the wandering bee. Fruits ripened in the sun, but there was no 

 hand there to pluck, nor any speaking tongue to taste. Birds sang 

 in the trees, but for no ears but their own. The surface of lake or 

 river whitened by no sail, nor furrowed by any prow but the beast 

 of the water-foul; and the far-reaching shores echoed no sound but 

 the dash of the waves and the lowing of the herds that slacked their 

 thirst in the crystal waters. J. S. NEWBERRY. 



