46 Notice of Hayden's Geological Essays. 
transition, and the secondary, occupy a rank far more ex- 
tensive and distinguished, than the volcanic and the alluvial. 
The latter has been, for years, growing in importance in 
the view of geologists, and has, in consequence of much 
contemplation and research, —— in Mr. Hayden’s 
eyes, a rank not inferior—to say no more—to that which 
he allows vt the other formations. - andes his book, (pro- 
vided that no very commanding importance were attach- 
ed to hatgeoeline theory which the soles so —— es- 
pouses and defends,) might, we imagine, be very properly, 
entitled, materials towards a history of the alluvial forma- 
tions of our globe. In this view, the collection is rich and 
various, and we are disposed to think with an intelligent 
scientific friend, must ‘* become a teat book, for geologists, 
in the subjects of which it treats: 
Indeed we are not aware that there can be found, in any 
single author, so complete a view of alluvial districts as as: 
Ha: den has coors and it is is probable that. 
. 5 , has thas, incidentally. st 
: wk, a y which even that theory, how- 
ever beautiful, aie not Sues enjoyed. — 
We ‘do not however mean to prejudge this theory, but per- 
haps it would have been as well to have made it a nh 
tion from the facts, rather than to have prefixed it to them; 
the latter method is the most grateful to. the majority of 
minds, — toh former i is pe eater snd: more: mptsse to 
lead us 
1 Phe qu atios ‘fre wn Patrin, which Mr. Heydeehas cai 
icine page, gives, it is true, a very just view 
of Ke. uses and quently vindicability of hypotheses, 
and certainly the. course ‘pursued si our author; is ‘entirely 
justifiable. 
In his preface se states that “ the principal tl only mo- 
tive by which he has “tes actuated, is the wish to interest 
and invite the attention of geologists, naturalists, and scien- 
tific men of every denomination, to the great and important 
physical changes, that appear to have taken place upon and 
near the surface of the earth, in various parts of the world, 
and more particularly in our own country ; and alsoto the 
plore ceo and interesting facts, that seem to have, not. oy 
relation to, but an intimate connexion with those 
cbenness and this with the view of enabling us to form, 
