PARADISE AT THE NORTH POLE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXI, 23 November 1895, Page 645

PARADISE AT THE NORTH POLE.

In an interesting and highly instructive article Edward S. Martin, in the Ladies' Home Journal reviews the numerous theories advanced by scientists in the endeavour to solve the perplexing problem as to the exact location of the site of the Garden of Eden. After sifting the theories the writer concludes that the question is no nearer answered than it was 2,000 years ago, and tha there are no present indications that the matter will ever be definitely settled by any man. To one of the latest and most ingenious theories Mr Martin thus refers : The North Pole will seem at first thought to the average investigator the most unlikely site on earth for Paradise to have occupied. Nevertheless several sober and thoughtful books and pamphlets have been written in support

of the North Pole’s pretensions. The North Pole nowadays is bitterly cold, but it has not always been so. Geologists tell us that the earth was excessively hot when it first began its course—much too hot to admit of the presence of any living creatures, except, perhaps, a salamander. As it grew cooler vegetation appeared, and then it began to be peopled, first with fishes, and then with birds and beasts ; finally with man. The first spot on earth to get cool enough was the North Pole. In the process of time it got too cold, but there must have been a long period when the polar region was the most comfortable part of the world. During this period, many eminent geologists believe, there existed around the North Pole a continent now submerged, and that on that continent our progenitors were comfortable in their first home. It is known with entire certainty that the polar region was once warm enough for tropical vegetation to grow there.