Dr Fleming on the Geological Deluge . 
present carrying on extirpating operations against many species ; 
nor is there room to doubt, that in any age he ever was 
otherwise occupied. 2. Different species vary in the extent of 
their resources to resist these extirpating efforts. 3. The im- 
dividuals of many species have been greatly reduced in num- 
bers by these efforts. 4. All the individuals of several species 
have been destroyed by these efforts, in this country, even with- 
in the last six or eight centuries. 5. If extirpation has taken 
place to such an extent, within the period of a few centuries, 
how manifold must have been its effects during the six thousand 
years that man has lorded over the creation. To such efforts do 
I ascribe the extinction of our ancient quadrupeds ; and the in- 
ductive reasoning which led me to the opinion, carries along 
with it all the authority of demonstration. 
To the explanation which has thus been proposed to account 
for the extinction of certain quadrupeds, several objections have 
been offered by Professor Buckland in his “ Reply (No xxiv. 
612.) They seem, however, to have originated in imperfect no- 
tions respecting the “ Distribution of Animals and, therefore, 
readily admit of an answer. 
1. Is it not incumbent on him first to show at what period 
such animals as these, much too formidable to be overlooked, 
were ever known to have existed ?” I do not think the proof 
called for with propriety. The events referred to were not suf- 
ficiently striking to arrest the attention of the public ; and there 
were no cc Journals” in those days. 
“ 2. Can he give any reason why hyaenas should have been 
extirpated at a more early period than wolves, had they ever 
existed in postdiluvian Britain ?” Yes. Their resources against 
the efforts of the sportsman must have been fewer and less effica- 
cious. The proof rests on analogy. The wolf has been extir- 
pated, but the fox remains. The bear has been extirpated, 
while the badger remains. If we pass from Britain to the Con- 
tinent, similar proofs occur. The gigantic elk has been annihi- 
lated, while the Scandinavian elk remains. If we pass from 
Europe to America, still there are proofs : the musk ox has pe- 
rished in Europe, yet it exists in America. 
“ 3, Is it probable that the savage hordes which inhabited Ger- 
many before its occupation by the Romans, should have utterly 
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