these remains, it is difficult to avoid the one which affirms that the nature and construction of the vegetables on our globe have undergone different changes, in which they have gradually advanced in complexity and delicacy, and approximated to their present state of adaptation to the necessities and luxuries of man.

But a more decisive conclusion, with respect to alteration and progressive improvement, is furnished by animal remains. For more than a century a controversy was maintained as to the origin of fossil shells and bones; many speculators contending that these were inorganic substances, fashioned into their present form by a plastic virtue of nature, or by some other mysterious agency. An extensive and minute appeal to the analogy of the living creation exploded this dogma, and universally established the sound and rational opinion, that these substances were of organic origin. In the primary rocks, as we have previously observed, no remains of any kind are found. The fossils, in the transition series, belong to the lowest orders of animal life, none occurring of a higher class than corals or shell fish. These are found frequently in the transition limestone; but in the mountain limestone, under the coal, the species of coral and shells are more abundant. It also contains some obscure traces of fish, one of which has been considered by eminent naturalists to be the snout of the xiphias, or sword fish. The animal remains in the coal beds are scarcely of a higher order; but the magnesian limestone, over the coal, has been found to contain the remains of an amphibious animal of the genus monitor. The new red sandstone, in some cases, abounds with marine remains. A slab, not ex

ceeding two feet square, from the quarry at Rhone Hill, near Dungannon, was recently presented to the Geological Society, and found to contain impressions of more than two hundred and fifty fishes. In the lias formations corals are rare, but several species of crustaceous animals occur, though always in an imperfect state, and remains of the turtle have been found in them. The upper and lower oolitic groups contain a variety of shells, teeth, vertebræ belonging to marine lizards, and several species of tortoise. Some oviparous quadrupeds have been found here, and a species of crocodile well characterized.

The fossils in the green sand are usually in a silicious state; shells occur in vast abundance and va

riety, but, excepting a few fish teeth, no remains of vertebral animals are met with in this formation. The chalk contains many organic remains of animals, from the sponge to the alligator, yet the tribe of echinus is most abundant and characteristic of the formation. Of fossil shells, the crania and magas are peculiar to the chalk. Coral, and marine shells predominate in the whole of the secondary strata, and vertebrated animals are numerous, but mostly confined to fish and reptiles. Mr. Lyell tells us, that the British secondary strata alone, yield about six hundred species of marine shells.

In the formations above the chalk, the variety of organic remains is great, and in general they are in a high state of preservation. The plastic clay, immediately over the chalk, contains a large number of shells and the teeth of fish. In the London clay, remains of crabs and lobsters are abundant; thirty different species, from the Isle of Sheppey, are in the British Museum. The fossil shells are numerous and well preserved, and

petrified fish of great beauty occur, as do crocodiles and turtles, in a more or less perfectly mineralized state. The fresh water formations above this clay, are distinguished by a number of shells which occur only in fresh water, while the upper marine formations, the vent in the ascending order, contain the same shells as exist at present in the neighbouring seas. In the diluvial formations the remains of elephants, hippotami, and rhinoceri are found, but the species differ from any living examples. It is highly probable that these last named reliques are vestiges of the Mosaic deluge. Bones of the mammoth have been recently found in Yorkshire, in connection with land and fresh water shells, thirteen in number, the whole of which have been accurately identified with species and varieties now existing in that county. The remains of

the mastodon, and other formidable animals, so carefully examined by Cuvier, prove, beyond doubt, the extinction of certain gigantic animal species. The caverns of France and Great Britain present numerous interesting remains of hyænas, tygers, bears, and other animals. The researches of Professor Buckland have led him to conclude that these fragments are the bones of species no longer existing; that the caverns were the places of their retreat, and that they perished by the water of the last universal cataclysm.

It is a remarkable circumstance that among the remains of existing and extinct quadrupeds there is almost, if not a total absence of human exuviæ, as the few specimens found imbedded in the earth will not warrant any conclusion as to an ancient date. From this fact it has been argued, that the existence and destruction of the whole of these animals was pre

vious to the formation of man, and an attempt has been made to adduce it in evidence against the truth of the Noachial deluge. But that enlightened philosopher and devout believer in revelation, Baron Cuvier, exhibited the fallacy of this conclusion by observing, that "the place which man then inhabited may have sunk into the abyss, and the bones of that destroyed race may yet remain buried under the bottom of some actual sea, all except a small number destined to continue the species." This important inference, the justness of which could be easily confirmed by several considerations, is, we apprehend, the only true solution of a difficulty frequently urged by sceptical minds. In what are termed alluvial beds, we find remains of the animals of the present creation, or of creatures identical with living specimens.

This brief enumeration of animal fossils, in connexion with their relative positions, may serve to show that their existence clearly indicates numerous revolutions in the materials which constitute the crust of the globe, and an appointed and graduated order in which different tribes of animals were brought into being. To this inference, and to some others of a similar kind, we shall have occasion to allude in our next and last paper.

It is doubtless a legitimate object of geological inquiry to endeavour, by means of physical principles, to ascertain the mode by which the different groups of mineral masses with which we are acquainted were first formed, so far as secondary causes are concerned, and to trace the operations by which the surface of the globe was arranged. We labour, indeed, under considerable disadvantages in the investigation, inasmuch as

the modus operandi of the Divine power is necessarily bid, and there is much difficulty in tracing effect to cause in the secret operations of nature; and the help to be derived from analogy is likewise denied. It is by no means derogatory to Omnipotent might, or Infinite wisdom to imagine, that some general laws are observed in the creation of worlds, in the immensity of space, and could we witness their birth we might reason by induction upon the origin of our own. But still, in the absence of such help as we could desire, there is sufficient data left to form the basis of reasoning, which, while pursued with complete deference to the things revealed," may ultimately lead to satisfactory results.

An attention to the figure of the earth exbibits just such an appearance as a fluid mass, endowed with similar motion, would have assumed. We are thus, in the absence of any contrary proof, inevitably led to the conclusion, that the superficial parts of the globe were originally in a soft or fluid state. It could not have assumed its present shape, a spheroid, compressed at the poles, unless these parts, to a certain depth, were originally in a liquid condition. This fluidity once comprehended those parts that are now most solid, and must have proceeded either from igneous fusion or from solution in water. This conclusion is seldom doubted; but the question, whether the fluidity was the effect of fire or water, has been long and fiercely debated. By those who support the Neptunian theory it is contended, that as the aqueous fluidity of secondary formations is generally admitted, this fact, with the circumstance of the insensible transition of the secondary to the primitive formaN. S. NO. 140.

tions, indicates an analogous formation in both, and in all. But, in opposition to this, facts are adduced which indisputably prove the action of fire in the formation of certain primitive, unstratified rocks; and it is argued, that granite, in a state of fusion, was gradually consolidated and chrystallized, as the rocks in its immediate neighbourhood are altered in their texture, and rendered harder, as though they had been subjected to the action of heat, existing in their vicinity. To all this it is again replied, that these occurrences, if proved, are mere exceptions to the general rule, and that the greatest diversity of opinion, as to stratification, prevails. Mr. Greenough has put in juxta position the opinions of eminent geologers, who, in surveying the same rocks, have pronounced opinions diametrically opposed to each other; the one party declaring them to be stratified, the other unable to detect any traces of stratification. There are perplexities unquestionably attached to either of the rival theories; but though there are difficulties in admitting that all the elementary principles, of which the rind of the earth is now composed, were held in a vast dissolution, and formed a chaotic ocean, yet there are greater in supposing, that chrystals were formed without a solvent, strata without a sediment or precipitate, that dissication should have taken place without moisture, and gravel have been rounded without attrition.

Without pro

nouncing positively, in a case where there is so much room for uncertainty, the weight of proof appears to us to lie against the Platonic theory. To form an opinion rightly we must, however, sum up probabilities and improbabilities, strike a balance, and decide accordingly. Perhaps, after all that has been 3 R

written in favour of each of the exclusive theories, the truth may be in the medium; it being probable that the present external shape of the earth was produced by the varied operation of fire and

water.

The facts and statements of this paper, though divested, as much as possible, of technical and scientific terms, may yet prove, we fear, of comparatively little interest to

the general reader, yet they are of importance even to an elementary acquaintance with Geology, and are essential to the appreciation of certain deductions as to the changes which have passed on the surface of the globe. These conclusions, in connexion with an exhibition of their harmony with the Mosaic record, will form the subject of a final paper.

SIGMA-P.

(To the Editor.)

DEAR SIR-I occasionally see "The Christian Observer;" compared with most of the religious periodicals of the Episcopalians, it is dignified and candid. The "Christian Remembrancer," in its opposition to evangelical truth and attachment to the worst parts of Episcopacy, reminds us of the spirit and the times of Laud. The "British Magazine" appears anxious to outstrip the former publication, in all that is calumnious against other denominations. No statement sent to it against Dissenters, however false and incredible, seems to be rejected. The defence of " things as they are," in the National Church, appears to be its province, and in discharging its office the most dishonourable means are employed. The "Christian Guardian" has of late years assumed the guardianship of all that is uncandid and petty, among a small portion of the evangelical clergy. The" Christian Observer" has, however, taken higher ground, and has long been considered by evangelical churchmen and Christians of other denominations, as the most respectable and influential of the Episcopal periodicals.

It is therefore matter of regret, when there is even an occasional departure from a correct and candid spirit. Articles do, however, somehow or other find their way into that Magazine, which violate its general principles, and on the ground of Christian candour and charity deserve to be exposed. It is well known, that a number of Dissenting families and reading societies have for years taken in the Christian Observer. It cannot therefore but wound their feelings, and do injury to the common cause of Christian charity, to find charges brought against Dissenters which cannot be proved, and motives ascribed to them which have no foundation in truth. The May number has grievously sinned in these respects.

The first paper is, " On the principle of the London City Mission." It contains the writer's reasons for not joining that new Society. To this there can be no objection, for we believe that good men of various denominations differ in opinion, as to the desirableness of such an institution, as well as on the probability of its success. giving his reasons, however, the writer has inculpated Dissenters, which no defence of himself made

In

necessary or desirable. I have, I confess, been astonished at the mixture of truth and error, which that short letter contains; at the incorrect reasoning-bold assump tions-mistakes in history, and lamentable ignorance of the nature of Christ's kingdom, which are presented in the space of four pages and a half. If the writer represents the sentiments of the evangelical party in his church, there seems to be no hope of escape from the degradation of State controul for that impure connexion which now exists, is held with tenacious grasp, as essential to the spread of the gospel in this country. Let the article be read, and this remark will not appear too severe. I can here only give one or two extracts, to show the mind of the writer.

The third reason for not joining the new Society, is as follows:

Thirdly. The evangelization of the people, and thus their temporal prosperity as the inseparable companion of their holiness, by means of the Established Church, is the received constituted order of this realm. Human wisdom and human experience have confirmed the sound expediency of the same; and every additional exhibition of Dissent, however apparently good in the view of a short-sighted expediency, has, by weakening the great principle of evangelizing the country through the medium of the Establishment, really, I apprehend, carried us further from our purpose, and introduced actual and permanent evil under the appearance of specious and temporary good. We hear men speak of the advantages of Dissent, which, after all, are but few and questionable; but we do not hear them speak of the incalculable disadvantages of the same; and for this plain reason,-because they are incalculable; and it is morally impossible for any man to calculate on the mischief which shall result from the invasion of a principle, or to detail the actual jealousies, malignities, bad feelings, and levelling liberalism, which necessarily spring from disunion

and dissent. Now, sir, as I conceive, with our Reformers and the Puritans, that no temporary good can compensate for the breach of a principle, so I feel myself bound to withhold my support from a scheme which, by levelling the agency of the Church with that of Dissent, invades and subverts that ascendancy which, as a spiritual means, is conferred on it by the State."

How awfully defective as a Christian Church must that church be, which traces its power to the State! and seems to glory in the fact, that its ascendancy over other communions is derived from man! Not that power which is given by the Son of God,-not that influence which arises from devoted and successful effort in the cause of Christ,-not that which consists in the enlightened and spiritual character of its ministry, - no, but in Acts of Parliament !

Hear the writer in his eighth

reason:

"Eighthly. Dissent has every thing to gain by this master-piece of Liberalism, and the Established Church every thing to lose; the agents in support of her cause in this plan being detached from all responsibility to any Church authority, except the incidental superintendence of the mixed authority of the Committee. And if the Established Church loses, the

State loses, the country loses, and the people at large lose, the great, effective, and permanent bulwark of their moral and spiritual blessings. For I hesitate not to say, and appeal to experience in confirmation of the assertion, that as the Established Church flourishes throughout the land, so have the people at large the enjoyment of solid spiritual blessings, and an earnest that their posterity shall enjoy the same."

The thoughts that struck me on reading these lines, took the form of questions?

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"Pray," I was ready to ask, during what period in the history of the Established Church, did it flourish so as to furnish a proof, that the writer's assertion is correct? Was it in King Henry's