Essay on the theory of the earth / by M Cuvier ... ; with mineralogical notes, and an account of Cuvier's geological discoveries, by Professor Jameson ; to which are now added, observations on the geology of North America ; illustrated by the description of various organic remains, found in that part of the world by Samuel L. Mitchill.

  • Cuvier, Georges, baron, 1769-1832.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essay on the theory of the earth / by M Cuvier ... ; with mineralogical notes, and an account of Cuvier's geological discoveries, by Professor Jameson ; to which are now added, observations on the geology of North America ; illustrated by the description of various organic remains, found in that part of the world by Samuel L. Mitchill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    his researches lead, of the new genera and spe- cies which these have been the means of dis- covering, and of the different formations in which they are contained. Some naturalists, as La Mark, having maintained that the pre- sent existing races of quadrupeds are mere modifications or varieties of those ancient races which we now find in a fossil state, modifica- tions which may have been produced by change of climate, and other local circumstances, and since brought to the present great difference by the operation of similar causes during a long succession of ages,—Cuvier shows that the dif- ference between the fossil species and those which now exist, is bounded by certain limits; that these limits are a great deal more exten- sive than those which now distinguish the va- rieties of the same species ; and, consequently, that the extinct species of quadrupeds are not varieties of the present existing species. This very interesting discussion naturally leads our author to state the proofs of the recent popu- lation of the world; of the comparatively