Remarks on Professor Eaton’s Communication. 149 
himself incapable of sound observation, because he is 
unable to see that which is not visible ”"—Again he says, 
in reference to another limestone rock, ‘In this case the 
same limestone will, like clay slate, bear a share in both 
these artificial divisions, (primary and transition.) for artifi- 
cial I must needs consider divisions which nature has sepa- 
2d by a boundary so feeble and so undefinable.”” Andin 
conclusion he remarks: “* Should this be the case, it will con- 
firm the supposition which I have suggested in other parts of 
these papers, that no real and well defined live of dis- 
tinction exists between the transition and primitive rocks, 
but that they form a graduating series of one single forma- 
tion; a series so gradual as to render it expedient once 
more to a to ie most get division of rocks, into 
primary and se 
To those conversant ok recent geological works, we 
need not say, that views similar to the above are rapidly 
gaining groun 
We regret that we should be thought to “ neglect our 
ey “own countrymen in order to do homage to Europeans,” 
of country or of cpr 8. e endeavour to 
na geological production sek equal “ye whether 
it come from the banks of the Seine, or the Danube, or 
‘the Thames, or the Read or the Potomac. “Much as 
our Bolces as Americans prompt us to appreciate the 
wo our Own countrymen in such a manner that they 
may sustain a Avourable comparison with those of Euro- 
Bees, ¥ our feelings as m of that great scientific 
anki a sairarel the whole world, check our 
pauchat partialities, ¢ and lead us to adhere to the principle, 
Hj 1 5 jue mihi nullo discrimine agetur. 
however, wit to conceal the fact, that we 
De, _ rather th an America, as the centre of 
sience; and of course maintain that we are 
Transactions, vol, II. pp. 410, 417, 449. 
4 
