y belongs. And
then if we can convince our fellow scientists over the world that our
rearrangement is justified, our adjustment will stand,--until some one
else arises to do a better job. When a new set of rocks is found in any
part of the world it is simplicity itself for any one acquainted with
the fossil index system to assign these new beds to their proper place,
though of course the one doing this must be prepared to defend his
assignment with pertinent and sufficient taxonomic reasons.

In view of these facts, we need not be concerned as to the fate of the
geological classification of the fossils. It is a purely artificial
system, just as is the modern classification; but both are useful, and
so far as they represent true relationships they will both stand
unaffected by any change we may make in our opinions as to how the
fossils were buried. But in view of this purely artificial character of
the geological series, what a strange sight is presented by the usual
methods employed to "prove" the exact order in which evolution has taken
place, such for instance as the use made of the graded series of fossil
"horses," to illustrate some particular theory of _just how_ organic
development has occurred. One might just as well arrange the modern dogs
from the little spaniel to the St. Bernard, for the geological series is
just as artificial as would be this of the dogs.

2. Another conclusion from the facts enumerated above is that there has
obviously been a great world catastrophe, and that this must be assigned
as the cause of a large part,--_just how large a part_ it is at present
difficult to say,--of the changes recorded in the fossiliferous rocks.
This sounds very much like a modern confirmation of the ancient record
of a universal Deluge; and I say confidently that no one who will
candidly examine the evidence now available on this point can fail to
be impressed with the force of the argument for a world catastrophe as
the general conclusion to be drawn from the fossiliferous rocks all over
the globe.

3. Finally, there is the further conclusion, the only conclusion now
possible, if there is no definite order in which the fossils occur,
namely, that life in all its varied forms _must have originated on the
globe by causes not now operative_, and this Creation of all the types
of life may just as reasonably have taken place all at once, as in some
order prolonged over a long period.

As I have pointed out in my