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shell, which has been found in a fossil state. So that none of 
the species of shells of this genus, which are known in a fossil 
state, have, in fact, been found in any stratum above the hard 
chalk, or in our present seas. 
X. In the sand and in the blue clay above the chalk, many 
species of shells occur, of which not one is to be seen in the 
preceding strata ; but of which several approximate to those 
in the present seas. 
XI. In the gravel, lying on the blue clay, shells are found, which 
differ from those of any of the preceding strata, and nearly 
agree with our recent shells. 
XII. In these upper and less ancient strata are found the fossil 
remains of land animals ; and on this surface, which bears the 
marks of considerable torrents, are disposed, at least in this 
island, the present inhabitants. 
Does it not appear from this repeated occurrence of new beings, 
from the late appearance of the remains of land animals, and from 
the total absence of the fossil remains of man, that the creative 
power, as far as respects this planet, has been exercised, continually, 
or at distant periods, and with increasing excellence, in its objects, to 
a comparatively late period : the last and highest work appearing to be 
man, whose remains have not yet been numbered among the subjects 
of the mineral kingdom ? 
FINIS. 
LEICESTER: 
PRINTED BY T. COMBE, JUNIOR. 
