308 Prof. Buckland's Reply to Dr Fleming's Remarks 
I proceed, therefore, to examine, in the order in which he 
’ has stated them, some of the propositions advanced by Dr 
Fleming. 
Case I. — PeaUBogs. 
I agree with Dr Fleming in considering the bones discovered 
in our peat-bogs ; in mud and silt at the mouths of rivers, 
or within the level of their floods ; and in ponds or lakes, and 
other situations at or near which the formation of aqueous 
deposits is still going on, to prove that the horse, the ox, the 
boar, the beaver, and several species of deer, have existed as 
wild animals in this country since the formation of post-dilu- 
vian silt and peat began, and have been gradually extirpated, 
or domesticated, by man ; and I admit this on evidence indepen- 
dent of the documents of history, or the voice of tradition, viz. 
the fact, that the bones of these animals occur imbedded in the 
deposits in question. 
Case II. — Fresh-Water Marl-Beds under Peat-Bogs, 
Deposits of this kind, formed at the bottom of shallow lakes 
and ponds, accumulate, until they arrive so near the surface of the 
waters, that the growth of peat commences, and often continues 
so far, that the hollow, which was once a shallow lake, becomes 
entirely filled up ; the basis of the marl-bed, beneath this peat, is 
sometimes solid rock, and sometimes a bed of that ancient detri- 
tus of gravel, clay, or sand, which I have calFed Diluvium. The 
animal remains which occur in this fresh^Water marl are of 
post-diluvian origin. Now, with respect to the Irish elk, if the 
common accouncs should prove correct, that it is found in this 
shell-marl, immediately below the peat, or in the lower regions 
of the peat itself, it will Only add another species to the list of 
animals that have repeopled this country, since the formation of 
the diluvium, and which, like our beavers and wild boars, have 
been extirpated by man ; and the high state of preservation of its 
horns and bones from the bogs of Ireland, when compared with 
the usually decayed condition of bones from the diluvium, in- 
clines me to favour this opinion. This animal, however, should 
it prove to be thus recent, will, like the ox and horse, and other 
species of deer, be common to our diluvial deposits, with those 
