CHAP. 11.

dispositions, of the circumstances of their PART I. superposition one to the other, and of the "different relations subsisting between them: Secondly; Of every thing which relates to THE MODE of their FIRST FORMATION: And, Thirdly; To THE CHANGES which they "have undergone."

In this exposition, the first article describes simple mineralogy; the two other articles describe the same science converting itself into mineral geology.

If we consult the historical accounts of the origin of this science, as they are delivered by its professors, we shall find that they exactly answer to the preceding description. They relate, that the experience which had been acquired in a long course of mineralogical practice, the numerous observations which had been successively made by a series of able and acute mineralogists, and the light diffused over mineralogy by the improvement and reformation of chemistry, engendered an ambition in succeeding mineralogists to advance beyond the mere investigation of the actual properties of minerals; their description and classification; and to endeavour to detect, by means of physical principles, the mode by which they were first formed, and by which they were afterwards altered in their circumstances. And it is this

CHAP. II.

PART I. new and extraneous exercise of mineralogy that properly constitutes the new science, which is called mineral geology, and which exercises such exalted functions at the present day.

Thus, both the description of this geology and its history, as delivered by its most distinguished and zealous conductors, confirm the position; that it is no other than simple mineralogy, or the science of minerals, pretending to determine the truth, in two remote and extensively important facts pertaining to the history of this globe.

The first thought which a consideration of these pretensions awakens in a reflecting and reasoning mind, is this question : - Can mineralogy be competent to determine, by means of physical principles alone, the matter of fact in those points? For, the proper sphere of mineralogy is confined to the characters and qualities, that is, to the actual sensible phanomena of mineral matter; and can actual sensible phænomena alone supply the means of determining, with the evidence which sound philosophy and sound reason demand, the certainty of the two past facts in question?

To this doubt it thus replies: that it is competent to determine these two points of fact, and with the evidence which reason and philosophy demand; that "the happy revolution

CHAP. II.

effected by BACON and NEWTON in the studies PART 1. of the natural sciences, was not experienced in the "science of geology until very late1;" but that, by employing the method of induction from "obser"vation and sound principles of physics, by the "rules of an exact logic," introduced by that happy revolution, and adhering to the rules taught and practised by those great teachers, it is able to reason from the sensible phænomena of mineral matter, to the mode of its first formation and of its subsequent changes: and that man, “who has weighed the planets, and measured "their distances, may presume to trace the operations by which the surface of the globe was arranged"."

This is the test by which mineral geology desires that its own validity should be tried. Let us, therefore, apply our close attention, while it professes to instruct us upon these two heads by the rules of "an exact logic, and "sound physical principles;" and let us first

1 "L'heureuse révolution, que BACON et NEWTON avaient ' opérée dans l'étude des sciences naturelles, ne se fit ressentir que bien tard dans celles de la géologie."-D'AUBUISSON. Disc. Prel. p. 3.

"L'observation, les principes d'une saine physique, et les " règles d'une exacte logique."-Ib. p. 36.

3

Comparative View of the Huttonian and Neptunian Systems

of Geology, p. 2, 3.

CHAP. II.

.

PART I. hear it upon the first head, viz. the MODE of the first mineral formations of the earth; comparing it with the standard of BACON and NEWTON. The issue of the first comparison, will probably determine the degree of authority which it is entitled to command, with respect to the second head, viz. the MODE of changes, or revolutions.

CHAPTER III.

PART I.

FORMATIONS, (in mineral geology,) are the "different assemblages of particular rocks, or CHAP. III. "soils, in which one and the same species "eminently prevails. These are the true "unities in the mineral constitution of the globe; the determination of which is the great object of geognosy 1.-First formations, are those mineral formations which preceded "the existence of organized beings.'

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2. In considering the globe in its entireness, and in fixing our attention upon its figure, we shall find, that it is exactly such

as a fluid mass, endowed with similar motion, "would have assumed; and we shall be immediately aware of its primitive fluidity.".

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3. That the surface of the globe has been “ in a fluid state, is established by very ample " evidence-which extend to the whole sur"face of the earth, and indubitably prove its " former fluidity"."

4." There is a great class of rocks which

I D'AUBUISSON, tom. i. p. 322, 3. 2 Ib. tom. ii. 3 Ib. Introd. p. 3.

• Compur. View of Hutt. and Nept. Geol. p. 4, 5.

C

p. 3.