On the Identity of Sllcx and Oxygen. 173 



silex as oxygen is concerned, either in geological inquiries 

 or in the numerous examples that abound in the animal or 

 vegetable cEConomy^ but, fearing I may have already tres- 

 passed upon the patience of your readers, I shall, for the 

 present at least, quit this subjc^'t, with the full assurance, 

 that the extensive influence of silex, its magnitude, ubi- 

 quity and importance, its uniform intrusion into organized 

 bodies, where earths and more soluble matters are denied — 

 that, from these and other considerations, this question will 

 be indulged with an open and impartial reception by all who 

 may peruse these remarks. 



In the course of this discussion, which I have endeavoured, 

 as much as possible, to epitomize, I have occasionally shown, 

 that I have some reliance on geological proofs for support. 

 These, however, are so intiniately connected with facts and 

 reasoning which must depend upon mineralogy, metallurgy 

 and all other branches of chemical knowledge, that I did 

 not deem it requisite to consider these separately ; and, 

 therefore, as I do not rest my opinion npon the merits of 

 any solitary fact, I shall claim every latitude that the science 

 of geology, in this acceptation of the term, can comprehend. 



There are few subjects in which speculation and hypothe- 

 tical reasoning have been more freely indulged, and the most 

 opposite and even extravagant theories defended, than in 

 geolocy ; it must be confessed, however, that no science has 

 a fairer claim on the most liberal and dispassionate reason- 

 ing, ludcfd, while the mysteries of nature arc at such an 

 awful and iniiccessible distance, human curiosity will ever 

 be on the. stretch; and, in ail difficulties, the mind will 

 surmise what is most plausible rather than abandon the pur- 

 suit, so that no phaenouscnon is ever rcj'^cted without some 

 explanation. 



The real history even of the present slate of ihe globe, 

 and " of the various relations which the dificrcnt co)istituent 

 masses bear to each other," is, it may be said, still in its 

 infancy. For, alas I to what depth has the utmost industry 

 of man been hitherto able to penetrate into this huge solidity 

 of inorganized substance ? How far has he yet advanced in 

 exploring the contents of our sphere, whose diameter may 



be 



