Antediluvian Congelation of the Water of Pocks. 47 



readily have adopted it. It is especially necessary at this time 

 of geological research, that we should apply ourselves, as much 

 as possible, to independent enquiries and conclusions, and not 

 yield our minds to hasty generalizations, which are often as 

 captivating to the young geologist, as they injuriously serve 

 to relieve his mind from the labour and industry of individual 

 investigation. 



I need not remark that the glacier theory has of late burst 

 upon us like an avalanclte ; and in the powerful hands of 

 Agassiz and his able coadjutors in this country, is threatening 

 to sweep before it many of our preconceived notions of the 

 formation of our superficial deposits. It therefore behoves every 

 sincere and inexperienced geologist to be cautious in his con- 

 clusions, but industrious in collecting his facts, and basing his 

 arguments, as much as possible, on independent observations. 

 As for the detached and subordinate observations and argu- 

 ments which I have taken this opportunity of laying before the 

 public, I can only say they are not new to myself ; and as far 

 as the great principles of geological truth are concerned, I 

 shall be satisfied if they add one unpolished pedestal to any 

 of the lofty columns that are now being erected in the glacial 

 temple of the science. 



In what has been hitherto advanced in this paper, w^e have 

 confined ourselves, as strictly as possible, to observed facts and 

 arguments plainly deduced, without at all entering upon the 

 wider and more profound field of collateral investigation, 

 namely, under whatphysical circumstances ofthe earth's surface, 

 and at what geological era, this congelation of the superficial 

 rocks took place. This greater question is one which involves 

 a good deal of theoretical reasoning, as well as invites to much 

 hypothetical speculation. So far as we may approach one 

 branch of this ulterior subject, we may safely identify the pe- 

 riod of these local diluvial deposits, and the present configura- 

 tion of these fragmentary beds with that of the very general 

 diluvium which is remarked to have taken place over so many 

 countries, both in Europe and America. But the period at 

 which the refrigeration took place, and whether it soon fol- 

 lowed the period of cataclysm al fracture, dislocation, and ele- 



