318 Hurr—On the Geological Age of the North Atlantie Ocean. 
troughs on either side, with corresponding elevations over the European and 
American tracts. And thus, as it appears to me, we may refer the date of the 
oceanic condition of the Atlantic area, and of the continental condition of Eastern 
America and Western Europe (including the British Isles), to the close of the 
Palzeozoic epoch. 
(5) Conelusion.—It is not my intention in this place to attempt to trace the 
history of the North Atlantic down through succeeding geological epochs, tempting 
though the subject may be. I confine my observations to the limits of time above 
stated; and I trust I have adduced sufficient evidence to prove that, as far as the 
region of the Northern Atlantic, at least, is concerned, the doctrine of the perma- 
nency of oceans and continents does not hold good: on the contrary, do not the 
facts I have adduced go rather to support the views of those who, with Lyell, 
believe that where there is the land was once the sea, and where there is the sea 
was once the land ? 
If this line of reasoning be sound, then is this remarkable epoch of geological 
time (namely, the close of the Palaeozoic) yet further signalised by one of the 
grandest events in the physical history of the world; for it would appear that it 
was at this epoch that Europe and America first emerged in a permanent form 
from beneath the waters of the ocean; and a new ocean was placed between 
them—a future highway for the nations of both hemispheres. Equally certain will! 
it also be, that the doctrine of the permanency of oceans and continents derives 
no support from the phenomena presented by the region to which I have ven- 
tured to direct your attention. 
NOTE ADDED IN THE PRESS. 
(March 20, 1885.) 
The above was written long before the recent determination of the structure of the North Highlands 
of Scotland, and is independent thereof. 
