1 58 Dr. Fitton's Notes on the History of English Geology. 



We have copied the Plate connected with the former of these 

 papers of Mr. Strachey (fig. 1.), because it represents very 

 correctly one of the most striking geological features of the 

 South-west of England, the unconformable position of the 

 superincumbent beds, from the red marl upwards, to that of 

 the coal strata*. And it will be perceived that the order of 

 the strata given in the first " globular projection," (fig. 2. A) 

 as derived from actual observation, coincides with that which 

 modern inquiry has brought to light : — 



Strata mentioned by Strachey. Modern Names. 



'Chalk ■. chalk. 



' Freestone oolites. 



'Limestone...! i. 



'Marl I '•«^- 



' \ ellow earth i , , 



, r> , ^, > red marl. 



' lied earth 



' Coal cliffs 



::} 



4P 1 '" > coal formation. 



'Lead, copper, &c.' metalliferous rocks. 



The second diagram (PI. IL fig. 2. B.) is also inserted here, 

 as it affords a striking proof of the very low state of geological 

 speculation at the period of Mr. Strachey's inquiries ; since 

 an author, whose productions were thought worthy of publica- 

 tion by the Royal Society, and who appears to have been an 

 excellent observer, could venture to connect with them so very 

 crude an hypothesis. 



The eloquence of Buffon had great effect in attracting at- 

 tention, not only to the splendid speculations which may be 

 connected with geology, but to the importance of organized re- 

 mains, and to the light which may be thrown bj' them upon 

 the structure and history of the globe. But the most remark- 

 able views entertained about this period appear to have been 

 those of Rouelle; though it is, perhaps, impossible, at present, 

 to judge of the precise value of his labours ; for, like Werner, 

 he delivered his doctrines principally in lectures. He an- 

 ticipated, or was coincident with Lehman, in the distinction 

 (previously intimated, we believe, b}' Steno and Targioni,) of 

 tile primary from the newer rocks, under the denominations of 

 Vancienne and la noiivelle tcrre ; and found reason also to 

 make a division between the older and more recent of the se- 

 condary depositions, distinguishing the former by the title of 

 Travaille intermediaire ; a discrimination and a name coming 



* [ This however now appears to be rather the exception than the gene- 

 ral rule of structure. In the North of England, and in the Isle of Arran, 

 the superior beds are conformable to those of the coal formation.— See 

 Proceedinj;s of the Gcol. Society, p. 41, and Geo!. Trans., 2nd Scries, 

 vol. iii. p. 33.J 



