PREFACE. 
XVll 
VI. Primitive Epoch. — The strata of this group support all 
the others, and appear therefore to be of antecedent formation. 
They do not contain any organic remains, and have been con- 
sidered as formed prior to the existence of animals and vegetables 
on the earth. 
V. Carhoniferous Epoch. — During this sera, in which ap- 
pear many marine and fresh-water deposits, the earth seems to 
have been peopled with a variety of animals and vegetables, of 
genera similar to those of the subsequent epochs. There are 
some genera, however, which seem to be peculiar to this sera, 
as Orthocera. 
IV. Salifermis Epoch. — There are few organic remains con- 
nected with this asra, and no genera peculiar to it. 
III. Cretaceous Epoch. — This era is characterised by the ab- 
sence of the Productiy shells which abound in the carboniferous, 
and even occur, though sparingly, in the sahferous epoch ; and 
by the presence of the remains of the Paddled Reptiles and 
Belemnites^ which do not exist in the strata of any anterior or 
subsequent epoch. Here the display commences of Ammonites, 
Crustacea, and the carnivorous canaliculated molluscous ani- 
mals ; and here, for the first time, are exhibited proofs of the 
existence on the earth of insects, reptiles, birds^ and even qua- 
drupeds. 
II. Penultimate Epoch. — In this group there are several ge- 
nera of quadrupeds peculiar to it, as the PalcEotherium and 
Anoplotherium^ in forms, however, approximating to such as 
occur in the following group, and paving the way for the last 
and noblest creation, over which Man was destined to bear the 
sway. 
I. Modern Epoch. — This era, in a zoological point of view, 
embraces Man, the existing races of animals and vegetables, and 
the few species now extinct, as the Mammoth and Mastodon, of 
which there is proof that they once were the cotemporaries of 
the yet indigenous species. 
It may be supposed, by some, that the preceding statements 
are at variance with the generally received interpretation of the 
account of the Creation, as given by Moses. Four successive 
creations and extinctions of animals and vegetables are here re- 
