Prof. Gerniar on the Petrifactions of Ostei^dieddigen. 367 



from rvhich geometrical quantity or solidity commences, will ad- 

 mit of something more than an imaginary division ; for until 

 this is done it cannot be assmiied to be divisible, and therefore 

 mathematical science must be inapplicable for the purpose of 

 dividing it. If indeed we first assume a primitive particle of 

 matter to be a compounded material substance, — which, as I take 

 it, would be to assume a simple to be compound, — mathematics 

 may then be applied to divide it ad infnitum : but it; after all, 

 there be any real limitation in such (supposed) compound, the 

 application of mathematics to divide it, beyond such limitation, 

 must necessarily be a fiction. 



The term infinite is, I think, philosophically inapplicable* 

 to any and every created thing, and is applicable only to the 

 attributes of the Creator ! 



In concluding these observations on the origin and alleged 

 infinite divisibility of matter, I beg it may be ftilly understood, 

 that I have selected for criticism the work of Professor Milling- 

 ton from among the various works in which the doctrine of the 

 infinite divisibility of matter is asserted or maintained, which 

 are all, as I conceive, equally in error upon the point in ques- 

 tion, solely because it conveys, in my opinion, a just view of 

 the present state of science upon the subjects of natural philo- 

 sophy of which it treats ; and it should be particularly adverted 

 to, with respect to this highly useful volume, that my objections 

 apply to first principles only, and do not affect what may be 

 called the tangible and experimental properties of matter, as 

 explained in it ; and which properties are applied by the au- 

 thor to elucidate the practical and experimental subjects he 

 describes. It is only in that part which treats of the primary 

 laws of matter, as the sources to which those experimental pro- 

 perties are attempted to be traced, that any error is attempted 

 to be pointed out in the statements or conclusions of the author, 

 upon whose valuable labours the writer of these remarks would 

 be most unwilling to cast a shade. 



LXXIII. On the Petrifactions of Ostervoeddigen, near Magde- 

 burg. By Professor Germar. Read before the Natural 

 History Society of Halle, Feb. 1, 1823.f 



A T Osterweddigen, a German mile and a half from Mag- 

 -^^ deburg, is a stratum of sand, which is distinguished by 

 its richness in fossil bivalve and univalve shells ; but which, 



* What then shall we say of infinite duration, infinite space, and infinite 

 series in mathematics? Is not the term infinite applicable to physical, as 

 well as to moral and intellectual properties?— Edit. 



f From Schweigger and Meinecke's Neiics Journal, band vii. p. 170. 



with 



