epochs, organic remains, that bear the common character 6 
the period. That which is true of the period, in which we 
exist, may not be true of the preceding periods; and totally 
different formations, belonging to periods widely separated, 
together with differences among fossil remains, which relate 
both to their genera and species, prove abundantly, that the 
opinion of M. Brongniart, is not correct. All that we can 
safely infer with regard to the past, is, that events have trans- 
i serve them taking place now. That is to say, 
that species of animals have continued to exist, notwithstand- 
ing those great changes which the earth has undergone ; and 
that therefore, we find similar organic remains, in strata be- 
longing to different formations, and to different epochs. But 
we shall continually fall into error, if we admit, from the 
similarity of these remains, that the rocks which contain 
aces mu 
ground of the similarity in fossil remains will justify. 
I cannot therefore, with M. Brongniart consider those char- 
acters connected with the epochs of formations which are 
derived from the agreement of organic remains as of the 
soever they ee be. : Se 
Well marked differences, both in different formations and 
out introducing perplexity into the science, and neglecting its 
true iples. t 
_ “Thus then” (he continues) “ when the characters taken 
