we

two great antagonist powers were in universal action on our present lands in the first revolution of our globe, follows regularly from the history have investigated. To know that they must have acted, is at the same time to know, so far as we can receive the knowledge, the causes of all the mysterious effects which awaken our amazement in surveying the various mineral phenomena; whether they occur in the Cordilleras of the Andes, or in the N.W. Islands of Scotland. We are sure, that we have here a compound cause perfectly adequate to all the effects that igneous and aqueous action, acting separately, in harmony, or in hostility', can have produced; although we are utterly unable to trace the particular methods of their operation. And, since the same incomprehensible power was called forth at a subsequent period; when the same stupendous operations were to be repeated, and when the fragmentary and sedimentary formations were to be permanently exposed to the influences of the atmosphere, by the discharge and transfusion of the ocean which had lain incumbent on them from the time of their first formation; we can further and sufficiently apprehend, that the same modes of operation may have acted in various ways,

"Water and fire acting separately, by what is called the moist way " and the dry way, have wrought, and are yet working, memorable "effects on the superficial crust or external covering of our earth. Jointly or in connexion, their operation is tremendous." MITCHILL, Observ. on the Geol. of N. America, subjoined to M. Cuvier's Theory, p. 409. New York, 1818.

in various instances, to obliterate by coalescence1 the original line of distinct division between disparous formations: which blending terms, being ascribed to false and inventive causes, were calculated to afford ground for hypotheses the most chimerical, on the mode of the formation of the diversified series.

With the secure authority of the historical rule thus to guide our reason in investigating the various phenomena of the earth, one would have thought, that sufficient causes were assigned, and in rich abundance, to account generally for every phenomenon that can engage the attention of geology: for, the mineral geology itself does not pretend to account for each particular effect; but is constrained to refer many of them to "causes which are un"known," or, to "causes which have ceased to act." Yet, those assigned causes are not sufficient to satisfy the mineral geology; even when it is led, by actual observation, to infer the very same four periods in the history of the earth. For, thus it likewise states: " "The epocha, in which we per"ceive that so great a quantity of breccia, sand"stone, coal, &c. were produced, differs so en"tirely from that which preceded it, and from that "which followed it, that one would be tempted "to discern in it a real change, rather than a "mere oscillation, in the course of nature. It proves to us, a time of DESTRUCTION; it indicates

66

1 See above, vol. i. p. 98, 99.

66

a VIOLENT and almost SUDDEN ACTION, between "the tranquil formation of primitive rocks, and the

66

formation, generally tranquil, of calcareous soils1." We here perceive a remarkable approximation, by the acuteness and fidelity of observation alone, to the true order of events as they are reported in the record. The able observer perceives, 1. a primitive period, in which primitive rocks were tranquilly formed; 2. a period of violent and sudden destruction; 3. a long interval, in which the calcareous formations were more or less tranquilly deposited in the sea; and, 4. he has elsewhere noted the retreat of that sea. Here, then, are all the true periods, which the Mosaical record enables us to arrange in their proper order, and to assign to their proper dates. But, through neglect of that secure guide, imagination interferes; and, the periods thus correctly stated, are afterwards multiplied by the insertion of conjectural revolutions, in order to account for the variety of effects which those four periods, in fact, alone produced.

Let us, therefore, proceed to examine, with some attention, the reasons which have prompted those conjectural insertions; and to investigate, in their detail, the principal phenomena, which have seduced the mineral geology to require more revolutions than it can be supplied with from the Mosaical.

'D'AUBUISSON, tom. i.

p. 361.

See above, p. 46.

CHAPTER VI.

THE first great difficulty which the mineral geology has created for itself, occurs in that amazing phenomenon, the mingled remains of animals of different species and climates, discovered, in exhaustless quantities, in the interior of all parts of the earth; so that, the exuvia of animal genera now existing only within the torrid zone, and those of genéra which no longer exist at all, are found confusedly mixed together in the soils of the most northerly latitudes. "In examining the mineral masses "of the earth, (says the mineral geology,) "the observer is astonished at the prodigious

66

66

66

quantity of the fragments of animals and vege"tables which they contain. He will recol"lect the order, in which organic beings are "distributed upon the surface of the globe; some, can only live in the bosom of the sea, others, in fresh-water; some, are only to be found within "the torrid zone; while there are others, which “would perish the moment they should be re"moved from the frigid zone; in a word, each species appears as it were fixed to an ele"ment, or climate, proper and peculiar to it. Whereas, in the strata of the earth every thing is "out of its place; the remains of animals which can exist only in the depths of the ocean, are

66

66

66

"found kneaded into rocks which form the sum"mits of mountains; the bones of those which

66

can live only in the torrid zone, are buried in the frozen soil of the polar regions. Almost every where, he will find relics of animals and vegetables different from those which now exist. Every thing will indicate to him, that the place of his "habitation has undergone GREAT CHANGES and 66 GREAT REVOLUTIONS'."

The Mineral Geology, contemplating these various and discordant relics, and reflecting upon the places in which they are found, immediately demands a revolution different and distinct from either of those intimated by Moses; in order, to account for the presence of the relics in the places where they now lie. But, why does it need that other revolution? solely, because it reasons thus upon the evidence before it: these eruvia of equatorial animals are found in northern latitudes; therefore, their ancient owners must have died in those latitudes; therefore, they must have lived in those latitudes: and yet, they could not have lived in those latitudes, unless a revolution has taken place either in the natures of the animals or in the climates of the earth: but, no such revolution is shewn in the Mosaical record, or can accord with its recital; therefore, some revolution in one or other

1 D'AUBUISSON, tom. i. p. 8.

* Cuvier, Ossemens Fossiles, tom. iv. p. 305. Geol. Disc. JAMESON, p. 258. Ed. N. York. D'AUBUISSON, tom. ii. p. 513.