. Some salient points in the science of the earth [microform]. Geology; Paleontology; Géologie; Paléontologie. i if ^ |;i:- 1 m 1 \ w '\ 'if' IB'' ,i fi] i f )â. 420 THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS commencing with Pakotheriian. The serious comphcations resulting from such admissions are evident, but Vogt deserves credit for faith and consistency beyond those of his teachers. With reference to the actual distribution of species, the question of time becomes most important when applied to the Glacial period, since it is obvious that much of the pre- sent distribution must have been caus
. Some salient points in the science of the earth [microform]. Geology; Paleontology; Géologie; Paléontologie. i if ^ |;i:- 1 m 1 \ w '\ 'if' IB'' ,i fi] i f )â. 420 THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS commencing with Pakotheriian. The serious comphcations resulting from such admissions are evident, but Vogt deserves credit for faith and consistency beyond those of his teachers. With reference to the actual distribution of species, the question of time becomes most important when applied to the Glacial period, since it is obvious that much of the pre- sent distribution must have been caused, or greatly modified, by that event. The astronomical theory would place the close of the Glacial age as far back as 70,000 or 80,000 years ago. But we have already seen in the chapter on that period that geological facts bring its close to only from 10,000 to 7,000 years before our time. If we adopt the shorter esti- mates afforded by these facts, it will follow that the submer- gences and emergences of land in the Glacial ages were more rapid than has hitherto been supposed, and that this would react on our estimate of time by giving facilities for more rapid denudation and deposition. Such results would greatly shorten the duration assignable to the human period. They would render it less remarkable that no new species of animals seem to have been introduced since the Glacial age, that many insular faunas belong to far earlier times, and that no changes even leading to the production of well-marked varieties have occurred in the post-glacial or modern age. In conclusion, does all this array of fact and reasoning bring us any nearer to the comprehension of that " mystery of mysteries," the origin and succession of life ? It certainly does not enable us to point to any species, and to say precisely here, at this time and thus it orginated. If we adopt the theory of evolution, the facts seem to restrict us to that form of it which admits paroxysmal or intermit
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1800, booksubjectgeology, booksubjectpaleontology
