806 M. B. Studer on the Origin of Granite. 



tine and gabbro were derived from macigno. With what energy 

 Hoffman has adopted these views is evident from all he has 

 written, and especially from his works upon Italy. Through 

 his means the Apuanian Alps have become classical for the 

 study of metamorphosis. 



It is rather surprising that these views, which have not been 

 put in a peculiarly strong light in the writings of Hutton and 

 his followers, should have spread so widely, whilst another prin- 

 ciple of Mutton's doctrine, notwithstanding its greater simpli- 

 city, finds much difficulty in obtaining the consideration it me- 

 rits. I allude to the fundamental law that geology cannot scan 

 the origin of things, but can observe only the succession of 

 transformations which has arisen from Neptunian and Plutonic 

 influences, and that there is not to be found in the earth's 

 crust within our reach any thing that is primitive, — any ori- 

 ginal rocks, but only newly formed, or transformed fragmen- 

 tary ones ; a principle which, after so many and such import- 

 ant discoveries, we may still class with the most considerable, 

 as it comprehends the change from organic into inorganic 

 matter, and that of the latter again into the former. The great 

 talent with which Mr Lyell has demonstrated the doctrine 

 of periodic change in regard to the nature of the earth's 

 surface, and the general approbation bestowed on his work, 

 have not been able, even in Britain, to induce many who 

 are zealous advocates of metamorphosis, to abandon the old 

 path ; and still less has the principle extended over the 

 Continent. For this unfortunate result, a great part of the 

 blame is, I think, due to the expositions of geology which 

 are supplied in books, and by lectures. Although nearly 

 the whole ground upon which Werner based his system has 

 been demonstrated to be untenable, still his footsteps arc 

 pursued in relation to geology ; and this science, as it has 

 long done, maintains the character of a history of the globe. 

 Whether we proceed with Werner, from the oldest formations 

 to the newest, or, as is now generally done, reverse the pro- 

 cedure, the historical representation always requires a begin- 

 ning and an end as epochs of time, and one is opposed to the 

 idea of a chapter on tertiary and secondary formations without 



