MODERN GEOLOGICA.L CHANGEa. 75 



again are of considerable magnitude, and the forms which they display are 

 no less various. The Medusce float on the surface by means of a mushroom- 

 shaped gelatinous disc, assisted by the powers of dilation and contraction 

 possessed bj the animal itself: the Medusa Rhizostoma is a familiar instance 

 of this. Others are mere spheres, furnished with tentacular or prehensile 

 fibresj some are like the fin of a fish, but those best known are the Girdle 

 of Venus, (Gestum Veneris,) an animal of several feet in length, and emitting 

 a phosphorescent light of great brilliancy by night, and the most lovely hues 

 by day. It is apparently nothing more than a gelatinous ribband, but exhibits 

 upon inspection the most delicate conformation. The other is the Portuguese 

 Man-of-war, (Phygalia pelagica,) which, with its beautiful purple crest, is the 

 delight of landsmen, as the soft air catches this natural and bright-hued sail. 

 By many the Nautilus has been confounded with this beautiful creature; but 

 the Nautilus belongs to a much higher grade of marine animals, ^?ilich 

 perhaps I may have to speak of hereafter. 



When we consider the delicate formation of this beautiful race of God's 

 creatures, we shall be struck with wonder how, amidst the boisterous waves 

 of the mighty deep they float, or even sport unharmed, when man, in all 

 his strength and pride, is unable to cope with it for a single hour; nor will 

 this wonder lessen upon a more intimate acquaintance with their structure, 

 and the species of food upon which they subsist, and how they obtain it. 

 Of these I intend to speak hereafter, and can only indulge at present 

 a humble hope that the young lover of nature, who scarcely yet dares 

 to call himself a "Naturalist," may be induced to journey with me on my 

 voyage. 



(To be continued. J 



ON SOME OF THE 



MODERN GEOLOGICAL CHANGES EXHIBITED IN THE 



NEIGHBOURHOOD OF GLASGOW. 



BY W. FERGUSON, ESQ. 



The surface of our earth has exhibited during its existence many difierent 

 features. Since the "Beginning," when God created it, who shall say how 

 many ages and epochs have rolled — ages and epochs so extended as to lead 

 even an inspired writer to apply to the hills of our world, the term "Ever- 

 lasting." Geology, in its province as explicating the past and present 

 condition of the material portion of the earth, has already thrown much light 

 on these past periods, and taught us something of their various appearances. 

 It has lifted the veil from off" the various systems which one after the other 

 have each been once ^^the present," It has exhibited to us the Silurian 

 System, with its dynasty of shells and cuttlefishes; the Old Red Sandstone 

 Period, with its wondrous families of mail-clad fishes; the Carboniferous Era, 

 with its characteristic palms, and forests of reeds and rushes; the various 



