358 Mr. Tomlinson s Experiments and [May 



Gibraltar was formed at the time that the elevation of the 

 tertiary strata of France destroyed the ancient strait, and 

 joined Spain to the continent of Europe. The recent date 

 of this dislocation is confirmed by the direction of the 

 ophites, and the similarity of the plants and animals as 

 observed by Bory de Saint Vincent on the opposite coasts 

 of Africa and Spain. 



Article IV. 



Experiments and Observations on Visible Vibration. 

 By Charles Tomlinson, Esq. 



" The subject is far from being exhausted ; and, indeed, there are few branches 

 of Physics which promise at once such amusing interest and such important 

 consequences in its bearings on other subjects." — Hersciiel. 



1. The principal object of Philosophy is to explain as 

 much as is known of the code of laws by which the material 

 universe is governed, and to discover those laws which have 

 hitherto eluded the search of Philosophers. 



2. As a discoverer of a law of Nature is more worthy 

 than an expounder, the votaries of modern Science have 

 been and still are engaged in promoting the dignity and 

 happiness of man, by increasing efforts to extend the 

 boundaries of knowledge by a more familiar acquaintance 

 with Nature's Book; with a code of laws which we are 

 bound to consider perfect in all respects, and commencing 

 its operations at a time when man first began to inhabit 

 this globe : so that, when we hear of the discovery of a new 

 law, we must not refer its novelty to Nature, but only to 

 ourselves. Human laws may be created, modified, and 

 changed to suit new emergencies, but every occurrence in 

 Nature is referable to a law which has existed, at least, as 

 long as man himself. 



3. But philosophers disagree ! Yes ; and they do so 

 because the law on which they differ is imperfectly explained, 

 or not understood. As soon, however, as the law is well 

 appreciated, all doubts and difficulties are removed ; for it, 

 in common with other physical laws, is reduced to a propo- 

 sition remarkable chiefly for its exquisite simplicity. 



