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marl, these lakes being subsequently drained, peat formed 
over the marl, and thus we find them. 
Dr. Scouler, however, in an able paper in the Journal of 
the Geological Society of Dublin, suggests a somewhat dif- 
ferent cause, — that of submersion in the semi-fluid peat, or 
miring, as we know appears to have been the case with the 
Mastodons in America. He observes, — The mere pursuit 
of the Deer by beasts of prey, if not by man, could not alone 
have caused its destruction. Unless increase of forests and 
bogs had narrowed the means of obtaining food and of 
escaping from danger, the Gigantic Deer might long have 
stood its ground like the kindred species. For if the 
Swedish Elk still survive in spite of having had to contend 
with man for so many centuries, some other cause must have 
contributed to the disappearance of this species so early. 
For Ireland, in which this fine animal most abounded, 
appears to have been a country peculiarly fitted for its pre- 
servation, having a favourable climate, and supplying abun- 
dance of food at all times of the year, its mild winters always 
affording some verdure, as no facts warrant the supposition 
that any change has taken place in the climate of Ireland since 
the period when the Giant Deer first appeared upon it. It 
was contemporary with animals which live in the country at 
present, and was, of course, adapted to the same tempera- 
ture as they are. The vegetation which afforded it food, still 
exists, and the climate probably remains unchanged; if, 
indeed, any difference has occurred, it has become milder ; 
while Sweden, the country of the surviving species, is 
locked up in frost for nearly six months in the year. 
We can easily contemplate, he elsewhere observes, a 
period, and not a remote one, when the country abounded 
in shallow lakes, and the more elevated parts were covered 
by magnificent forests of the pine, yew, and oak ; and even 
within a very recent historical epoch, a great part of the 
