MR DENTON’S LECTURE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2793, 7 March 1882, Page 2

MR DENTON’S LECTURE.

We were pleased to see that a good audience greeted Mr Denton last night on the occasion of his fifth lecture. Mr Denton managed to compress into the limits of a single lecture an immense amount of information and entertainment, as usual. It is needless, and it would be exceeding the capacity of our space, to give in detail the substance of the lecture. After a very interesting dissertation on the London and Paris clays and an entertaining account of Cuvier’s researches, the lecturer passed to a review of the suitablity of the formation of every animal to its requirements, and thence to a detailed account of each of the huge creatures that characterised the Miocene period. Amber was then noticed and kauri gum was shown to be a very similar substance Then followed a description of the “Bad Lands” between Nebraska and Idaho, and of the various animals of the time—the Mastodon, the Dinotherium, and the Megatherium, each of which was an enormous creature. Then followed a most picturesque description of the ocean of the Miocene period, the effect of which was heightened by a masterly recitation of a poem by Percival. The pliocene period was shown to be especially interesting as yielding to the geologist the remains of the horse, and (to everybody’s surprise) of man. Mr Denton expressed his regret at being obliged to withold his lecture on the origin of man, and announced that the last of the series, that on the “ Age of Man,” would be given this evening We trust a crowded house will reward Mr Denton to-night, for assuredly no such treat as this course has ever before been offered to the public of Timaru. Mr Denton’s reflection’s upon the Mosaic record of creation may not be palateable to some persons, but no candid listener can doubt that he speaks from a very solid and exalted platform. To-night is the last occasion of Mr Denton’s appearance, and we hope to see an audience worthy of the treat awaiting them.