the Formation of Rocks, 185 



excess of carbonic acid comes into play, a much larger amount 

 of this acid must have existed than is now contained in our 

 calcareous rocks. Such is my idea regarding the original or 

 chaotic state of the earth. If another condition preceded that 

 one, it must, nevertheless, have changed to the latter before the 

 formation of our mountain masses could have had its commence- 

 ment. 



The atmosphere at that time probably consisted entirely of 

 nitrogen, carbonic acid gas, and watery vapour ; oxygen did 

 not exist, because it was not necessary. Accordingly, from the 

 beginning, a beautiful internal order of events was arranged in 

 creation, according to which, in conformity with chemical laws, 

 the formation of substances that pervade all periods should 

 proceed. I shall now touch briefly on a few of the leading 

 points connected with these materials. The two above-men- 

 tioned acids, silicic and carbonic, which mutually exclude each 

 other, were placed over the v/hole as governors, and each led 

 what was placed in subjection to it to a certain fixed result 

 Tlius, two great series of substances were developed, which pro- 

 ceeded next each other in an undisturbed manner, and which 

 accompanied each other in every period ; these were the silicic 

 acid and the carbonic acid series. The former may be termed 

 the siliceous, and tlie latter the calcareous series ; another is still 

 to be added, which does not present itself in any abundance till 

 a late period, viz. the carbonaceous series. 



1. The Siliceous Series. — The formation of mountain masses 

 began with siliceous matter, and the series extends to the most 

 modern period. The crystallization of such large masses must 

 necessarily have been accompanied by unusual phenomena, 

 among which must be reckoned that of light. By the passage 

 of matter from a state devoid of form, to one of regular shape, 

 heat must also have been disengaged, which, when crystalliza- 

 tion proceeded rapidly, might have amounted to red heat, by 

 means of which actions similar to those of volcanos would be 

 produced. We can also understand the formation of com- 

 pound mountain-rocks, from a pasty amorphous condition of 

 the mass ; in which condition alone crystals can be formed, 

 arranged, and mixed, as we find them in granite and other 

 compounds. But the same did not take place simultaneously 



