TURRILITES. 211 



one of the same kind any longer exists. It is equally 

 true, that immense beds, composed of animal remains, 

 extending for miles underground, are met with in many 

 parts of the globe ; that enormous chains of mountains 

 are as vast monuments in which these remains of for- 

 mer ages are entombed ; and that though laying thus 

 heaped together, they are hourly suffering those changes, 

 by which at length they become the limestone which 

 forms the humble cottage of the peasant, or the marble 

 which adorns the mansion of the noble or the palace of 

 the prince. 



In concluding these various statements we are re- 

 minded that Cowper has truly said — 



Full oft 

 Our wayv.-ar(l intellect, the more we learn 

 Of nature, overlooks her anchor more ; 

 From instrumental causes proud to draw 

 Conclusions retrograde and mad mistakes. 



Men have unhappily often indulged in vain and wick- 

 ed speculations in connexion with this subject. Many 

 an infidel has thus aimed his envenomed darts at the 

 bosoms of his fellows ; many an injudicious friend of 

 truth has caused it to suffer, when avowedly advancing 

 to its advocacy or defence. But whatever are the ma- 

 lignant designs of the ungodly, or the unhappy errors of 

 even good men, let us remember the words of our Lord, 



