Lyell well remarked if Deshayes & Phillips assert that number of shells have increased from oldest time, it must be only till Eocene, whence they have decreased — In S. America in pleistocene period far more quadrupeds than now
June 1840^t1

Scientific Practice: factual information (no source); note refers to a person; reaction to idea; reasoning; speculation
Physical Characteristics: laid paper; dark grey; watermark: crown; (partial wmk)
Textual Features: base text pencil

^t1 June 1840] partially encircled

Transcription and apparatus copyright the American Museum of Natural History