LORQUINIA 
Published by the Lorquin Natural History Club 
(Organized— August 1913) 
Kdited by Paul D. R. Ruthling, 1051 West 23rd St., I^os Angeles. 
Volume 1 
Number 5 
Los Angeles, Cal., December 1916 li^'pTr^YeLr 
PALEONTOLOGY— ITS PLACE IN THE STUDY OF NAT- 
URAL HISTORY 
The study of paleontology has revealed many strange facts. It 
has revolutionized scientific thought regarding the created world and 
its inhabitants. Much of our present knowledge of the law of evo- 
lution is largely the result of paleontologic research. Paleontology 
is the basis of all geologic history. It takes up the story of life, be- 
ginning far back in geologic time when the earth was young. It 
begins with the first trace of life, searches the successive strata from 
the earliest Cambrian, folows it down through the ages and completes 
a wonderful tale, each step being as clearly defined, and all evidence 
as trustworthy as is found in any line of scientific research. What- 
ever our specialty may be in the study of natural history, much may 
be gained by research in the paleontological field. 
As the astronomer lives far out in the space among the stars, 
measures their distances, defined their orbits, calculates their speed 
and watches the evolution of planetary systems from their primilive 
nebular condition, so the geologist lives among those strange beings 
that flourished many millions of years ago ; for, as the astronomer 
regards space, so the geologist regards time. He sees the rise of the 
various types of life, watches their evolution and development from 
their first appearance, and sees them at their climax, when they flour- 
ished in great numbers and variety. He sees them in their declining- 
days when they dwindle and die, to be replaced by others of a higher 
grade of organization and development. 
The conchologist may find the earliest mollusks low and simple 
forms, yet fore-shadowing the coming of the brilliant and delicately 
tinted specimens in his cabinet today. 
The ichthyologist finds in the Silurian rocks a very low form of 
fish that remained for a vast period of time the dominant type of life. 
