Primary (Devonian, Coal, Permian): 103,040,000.
Secondary (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous): 36,800,000.
Tertiary (Eocene, Miocene, Pliocene): 7,360,000.
Quaternary: 1,600,000.[1665]
Such estimates harmonize with the statements of Esoteric Ethnology in almost every particular. The Tertiary Atlantean part-cycle, from [pg 751] the “apex of glory” of that Race in the early Eocene to the great Mid-Miocene cataclysm, would appear to have lasted some three-and-a-half to four million years. If the duration of the Quaternary is not, as seems likely, rather over-estimated, the sinking of Ruta and Daitya would be Post-Tertiary. It is probable that the results here given allow somewhat too long a period to both the Tertiary and Quaternary, as the Third Race goes very far back into the Secondary age. Nevertheless, the figures are most suggestive.
But the argument from geological evidence being in favour of only 100,000,000 years, let us compare our claims and teachings with those of exact Science.
Mr. Edward Clodd,[1666] in referring to M. de Mortillet's work Matériaux pour l'Histoire de l'Homme, which places man in the Mid-Miocene period,[1667] remarks that:
It would be in defiance of all that the doctrine of evolution teaches, and moreover win no support from believers in special creation and the fixity of species, to seek for so highly specialized a mammalian as man at an early stage in the life-history of the globe.
To this, one could answer: (a) the doctrine of evolution, as inaugurated by Darwin and developed by later evolutionists, is not only the reverse of infallible, but it is repudiated by several great men of Science, e.g., de Quatrefages, in France, Dr. Weismann, an ex-evolutionist in Germany, and many others, the ranks of the Anti-Darwinists growing stronger with every year;[1668] and (b) truth to be worthy of its name, and remain truth and fact, hardly needs to beg for support from any class or sect. For were it to win support from believers in special creation, it would never gain the favour of the evolutionists, and vice versâ. Truth must rest upon its own firm foundation of facts, and take its chance of recognition, when every prejudice in the way is disposed of. Though the question has been already fully considered in its main aspect, it is, nevertheless, advisable to combat every so-called “scientific” objection as we go along, [pg 752] when making what are regarded as heretical and anti-scientific statements.
Let us briefly glance at the divergencies between orthodox and Esoteric Science, on the question of the age of the globe and of man. With the two respective synchronistic tables before him, the reader will be enabled to see at a glance the importance of these divergencies; and to perceive, at the same time, that it is not impossible—nay, it is most likely—that further discoveries in Geology and the finding of fossil remains of man will force Science to confess that it is Esoteric Philosophy which is right after all, or, at any rate, nearer to the truth.