128 Analysis, §c. of Cordier’s Essay upon the 
masses in the Pampas between Buenos Ayres and Chili, may 
be cited in addition. But what shall we say of the numer- 
ous masses of metallic copper in the talcose district of Lake 
Superior, which are partly described by Mr. Schoolcraft ? 
Are they not also meteoric? If they be, Cordier’s argument 
may prove too much. 
eti 
virtue. On the other hand, we must not forget that an excessive 
compression of the metal is likely to retard the limit where the 
magnetic virtue is thus destroyed. 
25. In fine, in adopting this hypothesis, we shall be justified 
in examining some very feeble effects, secular, and not hitherto 
perceived, which the various positions and irregular figure of an 
‘interior solid mass, possessing a peculiar motion, and partly com- 
ten of metallic iron, might occasion. For instance, we should 
e led to doubt the perfect and absolute invariability, which we 
have hitherto ascribed to a plummet line in every place : this 
doubt would extend to countries situated far from the bands or 
uator. 
midst of questions of the highest importance to geology. It would 
be easy to extend these inductions ; and to explain for instance in 
a satisfactory r the formation of primordial, unstratified 
ks, those of the intermediate (transition) districts, veins, gyp- 
Seous, sulphurous, saline, calcareous an jan s of the 
secondary class. The fecundity of application is remarkable ; 
and t to prove the probability of the theory. This would 
oid, inert, and formed throughout of aqueous de-. 
“ This system has remained barren; andno part of it will now 
‘ xamination. ow re to narrow lim- 
its, to the explanation of those superficial layers formed of con- 
“solidated sediment, conglomerated fragments, and organic re- 
mains, which form, almost entirely, the very thin covering which | 
called the ary set of | i 
is called the second tions. Had not the author- 
iy the 
scientific men who | ought this Neptunian system into 
dan illusion, it 
long ago have been 
