74 



When we descend below the surface and examine the remains 

 of the organic system now inclosed in the rocks, the proofs of 

 the change of climate is much more decisive, and free from all 

 the doubts arising from imperfect history. So striking has been 

 the general northward action on the surface, that such effects 

 have been long observed. Kirwan stated, that in the northern 

 latitudes beyond 55° we find the animal spoils of the southern 

 countries and the marine exuviae of the southern seas ; but in 

 the southern latitudes we find no remains of animals, vegetables, 

 or shells belonging to the northern, but those only belonging 

 to the neighbouring seas. Subsequent surveys have proved 

 the above remark to be a fact. It is now fully admitted that 

 the sedimentary rocks of the northern hemisphere were, at 

 a former period, or during their deposition, exposed to a much 

 hotter climate than they are at present. In the superficial de- 

 posits of sand, gravel and loam, strewed over all parts of Europe, 

 remains of Mammalia are discovered, among which are those of 

 the elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, bear, hyaena, lion, tiger, 

 crocodiles, and others, consisting of genera now confined to the 

 tropics. 



Professor Lindley justly remarks, that it is an important fact, 

 " that at the period of the deposit of the Lias the vegetation was 

 similar to that of the southern hemisphere, not alone in the simple 

 fact of the presence of Cycadeae, but that the pines were also of 

 the nature of species now found only to the south of the equator. 

 Of the four recent species of Araucaria at present known, one 

 is found on the east coast of New Holland, another in Norfolk 

 Island, a third in Brazil, and the fourth in Chili*." "With regard 

 to the degree of analogy which the productions of different 

 regions may be found to present," says Professor Phillips, " with 

 the fossil reliquiae of the lower series of rocks, we are not aware 

 that any investigations are on record ; and yet it is impossible to 

 turn to Australia without a suspicion that the productions of that 

 region have more than the average resemblance to the primaeval 

 fauna and flora now found entombed" in the northern hemi- 

 sphere. In the coal deposits the proofs are equally striking that 

 they were deposited in a climate like the southern hemisphere, 



* Foss. Flora, vol. xi. p. 21. 



