150 
BIELBECKS. 
through the pass of Stainmoor, and dispersed them over the hills and 
valleys and antediluvial lake deposits of Yorkshire. How long anterior 
is not the question — the order of succession of the events is all that 
we are now concerned with. 
Secondly — It follows from what has been stated, as to the limited 
nature of the agencies concerned, that the quadrupedal, molluscous, and 
other remains, are those of animals then living in the vicinity ; and this 
conclusion is most amply confirmed by the condition of these reliquiae. 
This important truth, no longer depending solely on the evidence, how- 
ever satisfactory, in Kirkdale cave, but attested by new witnesses, may 
be definitively admitted ; and we are enabled to clear those parts of 
geological theory which relate to comparatively recent operations on the 
surface of some objections, and to propose a precise and logical argu- 
ment concerning the ancient condition of Yorkshire. 
We may be sure that the leading geographical features of the south- 
eastern parts of the county are of higher antiquity than the date of the 
diluvial floods. Though certainly particular tracts were greatly devas- 
tated by these waters, and their wasted materials carried in a strange 
manner to great distances, the physical aspect of this particular region 
was only modified in a slight degree, the fundamental features of hill 
and valley were unchanged, the course of drainage was little affected, the 
races of aquatic animals were not destroyed ; the devastation passed, and 
with it appai-ently perished the larger and heavier quadrupeds of the 
marshes and plains, but many races survived to perish in later days by 
natural changes or man’s persecution, — inhumed in similar lakes with 
similar shells, in various parts of the county. 
The question of ancient climate receives from this investigation new 
and independent data. While from the general analogies of form 
between the fossil and recent elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, felis, 
and hyaena, the mind was influenced by a vague notion that the climate 
of the northern zones was formerly of a tropical character, the equally 
strong analogies of the urus, glutton, beaver, wolf, deer, &c. restored the 
