400 Analysis of Scientific Books. 
state, has at some former period, for a considerable portion of time, covered 
the tops of the highest mountains. The distinctly crystalline structure of 
most of the primitive rocks, and the numerous regular crystals which they 
contain, decidedly indicate a previous state of fluidity. And it seems no 
less certain that this solvent must have been water. . 
The numerous organic remains which exist in secondary rocks unques- 
tionably prove that such rocks have been deposited from water. It is well 
known, that different sorts of secondary rocks have been deposited at dif- 
ferent and successive periods ; and it is equally evident, from an inspection 
of the organic remains in secondary rocks, that this ancient sea was suc- 
cessively peopled by different races of animals. 
Such, indeed, may be the commonly-received opinion, but 
common opinion is not convincing proof, and to a subject so 
purely hypothetical, a less confident style than prevails in the 
preceding quotation had been better adapted. We are not 
inclined, even if we had time, to enter into the comparative 
merits of the fire and water fancies, miscalled theories; but 
we have certain old-fashioned prejudices, which in these en- 
lightened days of scepticism and infidelity will no doubt be set 
down as mightily ridiculous, but which, nevertheless, induce us to 
pause before we acquiesce either in the one or the other. There 
7s another mode of accounting for the present state of the 
earth’s structure, on principles at least as rational, in a philoso- 
phical light, as either the Plutonian or Neptunian ; and, inas- 
much as it is more consistent with, and founded on, Sacred 
History, incomparably superior *. 
Our author avowedly inclines to the Wernerian hypothesis, 
yet he candidly acknowledges the difficulties by which it is 
surrounded. 
Cumming and Hilliard’s map is prefixed to the first volume, 
shewing, by its colouring, the general bearings of the great 
geological districts of the United States. The following short 
extracts from this interesting part of the work will enable our 
readers to trace their outlines on any good map of that country. 
1. Alluvial Deposite.—The northern extremity of this deposite is at Long 
Island, all of which appears to be alluvial, excepting the margin of the 
shore at Hurlgate, where primitive strata appear for the distance of four 
or five miles. On the east and south-east, this alluvion is bounded by the 
Atlantic ; and on the south, by the Gulf of Mexico, te the Mississippi. 
Its north-western, or interior boundary, commencing a little below Newark, © 
runs north of Amboy to the Raritan, and thence passes near Trenton, 
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Peters- 
burg, a little west of Halifax, Smithfield, and Averysborough in North 
Carolina, and of Camden in South Carolina, near Columbia, Augusta on 
the Savannah, and thence, bending to the west, it crosses the Ogeechee, 
Oakmulgee, Alabama, and Tombigbee rivers, and reaches the Mississippi 
a little below Natchez. 
The great mass of this alluvial deposit, below the soil, is composed of 
sand, gravel, pebbles, and clay, the last of which, either white or variously 
coloured, sometimes forms extensive beds. 
2. Primitive Rocks.—Vhe primitive formations extend from north-east to 
south-west, through nearly the whole territory of the United States. East- 
* See Mr. Granville Penn’s Comparative Estimate of the Mineral and 
Mosaical Geologies. 
