116 GEOLOGY. '' 



and skill of the great architect of the Universe, Anatomy and Physiol- 

 ogy present probably the richest field. Astronomy may, indeed, bear 

 more magnificent testimony to the power of that hand which broke the 

 rule of chaos, whereas 



<' Lo ! fierce and fresh a radiant host of stars 

 Wheel'd round the Heavens upon their burning cars !" 



Or to the potency of that voice, 



" Which spake, and lo ! a universe W'as born, 



And light flashed from God for her birth day morn. " 



Geology may tell in loftier strains of the wonderful operations of 

 Deity, as recorded in the historic page of the valley and the mountain, 

 but the body of man, in its structure and functions, speaks in a much 

 more intelligible voice of the wisdom of that mind which planned, and 

 the power and skill of that hand, which formed it." 



We would gladly transfer other extracts to our pages, and particu- 

 larly the able reply to the objection that these studies tend to scepticism, 

 but we are admonislied to stop by the laws of tiie Journal, having al- 

 ready exceeded the limits assigned us. 



GEOLOGY. NO. I. 



Geology is the natural history of the Earth. Its object is to ascer- 

 tain the nature and distribution of the materials, which constitute its so- 

 lid structure ; the changes which the outer crust has hitherto undergone, 

 the evidences of which are every where to be seen; and the probable 

 causes of those changes. 



This science is comparatively of recent origin. It is only within the 

 last quarter of a century that it has commenced to excite general atten- 

 tion, even amongst the learned. But though yet young, its growth has 

 been so rapid, that it has already nearly reached maturity. To this re- 

 sult, the activity and patronage of the Geological Societies of England and 

 the continent of Europe, and the liberal appropriations of money, made 

 by some of our own state Governments, for the purpose of a thorough 

 exploration of the agricultural and mineral resources of their several ter- 

 ritories, have, within the last six or eight years, mainly contributed. 



It is not only highly interesting as a science, but it promises, by its 

 investigations, the most useful practical results. On this account, we 

 feel the less hesitation in directing the attention of our readers, in a few 

 short articles, to its general facts and conclusions, hoping by this means 

 to excite, in such of them as have not yet bestowed much time upon the 



