393 
Scotland, and coal formation of Germany, were but the pro- 
genitors of the huge Dinosaurian and Enaliosaurian reptiles 
of the lias, Oxford clay, and wealden, which have passed 
away for ever, but are now represented by the gavials, and 
crocodiles, and alligators of the present day. The mammals 
of the tertiary system were only the precursors of the 
modern forms; in many instances the genera being the 
same, but the species perfectly distinct, as in Rhinoceros, 
Hippopotamus, Elephant, Horse, Giraffe, Bear, Hyaena, Tiger, 
Ox, Deer ; and in numerous cases both genera and species 
are both alike extinct, as Dinotherium, Megatheriun, Mylo- 
don, Mastodon, Palaeotherium, Anaplotherium, Diproctodon, 
Hyracotherium, Trogontherium, Coryphodon, Megaceros. 
In man, however, but one genus and one species has been 
created, which has continued to exist from the beginning, 
and only varied in character by circumstances, the result of 
climatal changes, or the varied conditions which savage or 
civilized life may have brought to bear on him. Islands may 
have been submerged or continents upheaved, but they have 
all been tenanted in succession by one and the same 
human family which was first called into being. 
Races of men, like kingdoms and dynasties, may 
have had their rise and passed away, but the one species 
has never become extinct. Consequently, though the last 
created, man is the oldest inhabitant of our planet, and 
whose dynasty has never been replaced by a succession of 
higher forms, each better fitted for the changing scenes 
surrounding him or the destiny which awaited him, but 
perfectly organized in the beginning for all the changes of 
time and eternity. 
Upon the termi nation of this paper, the Rev. AY. C. 
Lukis stated that with regard to the circular holes around 
the trench, where the skeleton was deposited as mentioned 
by Mr. Tindall, though he had had a great deal of ex- 
perience, he had never found a similar arrangement. 
kk2 
