Finch on the Tertiary Formations 31 
Art. i> Gealegstel Essay on the: Tertiary: Forteations in 
America, by Joun Fincn, Fellow of the Philosophical 
Society of Birmingham, Professor of Geolegy and Mine- 
ralogy. 
{Read before the Academy of Natural a ieee at Philadelphia. July 15, 
1823. - ss 
IntTRODUCTION,. “i 
TO trace the connexion between the rocks of different 
continents, to observe the order of their superposition, and to 
examine the exterior formations of the earth, are the busi- 
ness and study of the Geologist. 
: tain masses, which oa ae in cepa tach of 
y one neral law ; ‘and t $ “ 
"no fossils, and ae equally called primitive 
stantly found in the same position. When v we Easctad : in ti 
scale of formations, and arrive at those rocks which contain 
fossils, we find each stratum decidedly marked by the re- 
mains of zoophytes, or shells, peculiar to it. ‘These fossils 
constitute the medals of the ancient world, by which to as- 
certain the various elt during which the exterior coat 
of the earth was consoli 
It has been observed, hat these organized remains oc- 
cur in so regular an order, that itis like examining a cabi- 
net of shells, where you are sure to find, in every drawer, 
r ones which have been deposited within it. 
The order of position among secondary rocks is also sel- 
dom bid fin one quarter of the world you find a 
aa containing saltand gypsum, eee above anoth- 
po 1 ‘ 
This law is the foundation of Geology, gee ahah I 
rests; and every portion of either the old or 
that is examined, seems to produce fresh eeidbabe of its 
truth, 
Among the discoveries made, in consequence of the ge- 
nerous rivalry which takes place between nations in scien- 
