THE GEOLOGIST. 



59 



interesting objects, as also other portions of the fish; but we should 

 like to see some representation of the complete fish." We reply, that 

 no perfect specimen has yet been found, or any near approximation to 

 a perfect fish or reptile, in this locality; but we know this, that 

 comparative anatomy is now so far advanced that, with the jaws and 

 teeth, a true representation may be obtained. These we have, and it 

 only rests with the comparative anatomist to decipher the whole. It is 

 no slight gain in these discoveries to furnish the requisites for a more 

 complete elucidation. 



In conclusion, we see that in the course of time another race 

 of beings is found to occupy the site of one that is past ; and who 

 can tell but that the railroads of this kingdom, which have proved the 

 means of disinterring these and other organic remains, may be one day 

 again submerged, and that fishes may once more luxuriate over the now 

 verdant plains of England ? It may be supposed that the race of man 

 will never become extinct so long as the world exists, but we know 

 not 



" Thro' what new scenes and changes we must pass : 

 The wide unbounded prospect lies before us ;" 



the future we cannot trace. We do not infer that any new race of 

 creatures will at some future time expatiate on the remains which man 

 may have left on record of his existence on the face of this globe. The 

 importance of mind, with its endowments, bespeaks a change from an 

 earthly character to one more spiritual and refined, so that in all pro- 

 bability we are fast hastening to the last stage of the drama ; and that 

 what has been earthly and sensual will become ethereal and spiritual. 

 The physiological condition of this planet indicates that man, like the 

 inferior creatures around him, has passed the subordinate stages of animal 

 existence, clothed with beauty as many of those scenes undoubtedly 

 were in the history of the past ; still, the present like to it, is only an 

 inferior condition of his being, the embryo of his existence, the 

 threshold of the future. He looks upon the past as one scene of 

 imperfect organism with all its wonderful development, and this wonder 

 enhances his curiosity to know what is still awaiting him ; he finds 

 himself tied to earth and its laws, as it regards his corporeal existence, 

 but he longs to soar beyond the present, and attain to that future good 

 which the Creator has dimly shadowed forth in the pages of Eevelation. 



H 2 



