...at by Sir H. DAVY from the consideration of geological data, expressly states, that, " the theory of progressive development of organic life from the simplest to the most complicated forms, has no foundation in fact." On the other hand many observers equally high in scientific reputation...

...animals as now belong to the surface ; and in the rocks, which may be regarded as more recentlydeposited, these remains occur but rarely, and with abundance...comparatively recent origin. It will be easy to show that the first of these propositions, though very generally received, is most questionable, and has but...

...preparatory to the existence of man."* * Sir H. Davy, Consolations in Travel, Dialogue III. " The Unknown." In the above passages, the author deduces two important...organic life, from the simplest to the most complicated forms;—secondly, that man is of comparatively recent origin. It will be easy to show that the first...

...Lyell, perhaps justly, denies the correctness of the consequence often drawn from this result, that " there is a progressive development of organic life, from the simplest to the most complicated forms ;" f inasmuch as the discovery of one fish, or the bones of a saurian among the shells, is sufficient...

...strata, from the oldest to the * Sir H.Davy, Consolations in Travel, Dialogue III. " The Unknown." , most recent, there is a progressive development of...secondly, that man is of comparatively recent origin, and these conclusions he regards as inconsistent with the doctrine, " that the present order of things...

...are found, with others belonging to extinct species. But, in none of these formations, whether called secondary, tertiary, or diluvial, have the remains...secondly, that man is of comparatively recent origin, and these conclusions he regards as inconsistent with the doctrine, " that the present order of things...

...of things, and a succession of destructions and creations, preparatory to the existence of man." The progressive development of organic life, from the simplest to the most complicated forms, is said by Lyell to have a slender foundation in fact; — the popular theory, he says, of the successive...

...to the existence of man."* In the above passages, the author deduces two important conclusions Irora geological data : first, that in the successive groups...secondly, that man is of comparatively recent origin, and these conclusiBns he regards as inconsistent with the doctrine, " that the present order of things...

...extinct species. But, in none of these UNIFORMITY OF PHYSICAL LAWS. 145 formations, whether called secondary, tertiary, or diluvial, have the remains...of comparatively recent origin. It will be easy to shew that the first of these propositions, though very generally received, has no foundation in fact....

...publisher. Lyell approved of Davy's emphasis upon the recent appearance of man, but deplored his notion that 'in the successive groups of strata, from the...from the simplest to the most complicated forms'. 'No geologists', he added, 'who are in possession of all the data now established respecting fossil...