109 
gitaiacs sates in fine, he would be able to classify 
its different beings according to their structure, which would 
become a more difficult task, as other systems of organs 
were added to those already observed. 
Such researches, directed by a skillful hand, by a philoso- 
phical mind, anda judgment quick, clear and correct, would 
lead toa solution of the great problem, whether the distribu- 
tion of. organic remains in diffe rent rath: of the different 
formations separated by periods, indicates a progressive de- 
velopment of vegetable and animal life upon our globe. 
I also hope that such an undertaking may not omit also, 
the attempt to explain the subject of climates, their relative 
distribution, in particular, before the catastrophe of t 
€ ; ge. 
ust moreover, that the two following questions may be 
aetinitel resolved. 
t we to separate a formation, the unity of which 
has tase acknowledged from the relative position, and iden- 
tity of the bem which are interposed equally through the 
superior and inferior strata, for the single reason, that the 
former contain Crepes fresh water shells, and the latter 
salt water shells ? 
son for regarding these masses as distinct ig aaa where 
other geological facts do not justify this separation? _ : 
Arr. XIIl—Analysis of an “ Essai sur la temperature de l'interieur 
de la Terre, par M. Cordier, 4to, pp. 84. Lua PAcademie des 
_ Sciences, Firin, et 9 et 13 Juillet, 1827 ;”’ With observations ; 
Tuomas Coorer, M. D. &c., President of the College of 
‘South Carolina. 
THE supposition of a central fire is of long standing: it is 
found in the ancient mythological notions of Pyroplegeton 
and Hephastos: No wonder. In the early times of the 
sent surface of the earth, volcanos, eruptions of lava, earth 
quakes, eataclysms, debacles, sings were events of fre- 
quent occurrence; more so than in our days, when near 
two hundred volcanos, in a state “<a activity, serve as safety- 
pipes to give vent to the gases and vapors generated in the 
igneous mass below. 
