334 J. D. Dana on American Geological History, 



Ever since Palaeozoic times, therefore, the Oriental Conti- 

 nent, — that is, Europe, Asia, and Africa combined,' — has taken 

 the lead in animal life. Through the Eeptilian Age, Europe 

 and Asia had species by thousands, while America was almost 

 untenanted. In the later Mammalian Age, North America was 

 yet in the shade, both in its Mammals and lower tribes ; South 

 America in still darker shadows; and Australia even deeper 

 still. The earth's antipodes were like light and darkness in 

 their zoological contrasts. And was there not in all this a pro- 

 phetic indication, which had long been growing more and more 

 distinct, that the Eastern Continent would be man's chosen 

 birthplace ? that the long series of living beings, which had 

 been in slow progression through incalculable ages, would there 

 at last attain its highest exaltation ? that the stupendous system 

 of nature would there be opened to its fullest expansion ? 



Another of our number has shown in eloquent language how 

 the diversified features and productions of the Old World con- 

 spired to adapt it for the childhood and development of the 

 race ; and that, when beyond his pupilage, having accomplished 

 his rescue from himself and the tyranny of forces around him, 

 and broken the elements into his service, he needed to emerge 

 from the trammels of the school-house in order to enjoy his 

 fullest freedom of thought and action, and social union. Pro- 

 fessor Gruyot observes farther, that America, ever free, was the 

 appointed land for this freedom and union, — of which its open 

 plains, and oneness of structure, were a fit emblem ; and that, 

 although long without signs of progress or hope in its future, 

 this land is to be the centre of hope and light to the world. 



In view of all these arrangements, man may well feel exalted. 

 He is the last of the grand series. At his approach, the fierce 

 tribes of the earth drew back, and the race dwindled to one- 

 fourth its bulk and ferocity, — the huge Mastodons, Lions, and 

 Hyenas yielding place to other species, better fit to be his at- 

 tendants, and more in harmony with the new creation. Partak- 

 ing of the Divine image, all nature pays him tribute ; the uni- 

 verse is his field of study ; an eternity his future. Surely it is a 

 high eminence on which he stands. 



Yet he is only one of the series ; one individuality in the vast 

 system. How vain the philosophy which makes the creature 

 the Grod of nature, or nature its own author ! Infinitely beyond 

 man, infinitely beyond all created things, is that Being with 

 whom this system, and the combined systems of immensity, 

 were as one purpose of His will.* 



* This Address, exclusive of the notes, is cited from the Proceedings of the Amer. 

 Assoc. IXth Meeting at Providence, R. I. It was delivered by the author on retir- 

 ing from the duties of President. 



