96 Mr. Weaver’s Geological Remarks. [Aue. 
transition. He will then readily perceive that the two series 
constitute totally distinct systems; for if the former appear in 
some places conformable in position to the latter, these are 
merely local occurrences arising from the more variable stratifi- 
cation of a transition country, while in the general arrangement 
' unconformability of position will be found to prevail. And as a 
subsidiary mark of distinction, it may also be added, that the 
transition sandstone frequently contains organic remains, while 
the first floetz sandstone is generally free from them. 
Von Hoff, however, did propose to incorporate the carbonife- 
yous series with the transition (in Leonhard’s Taschenbuch, 
Jahrgang, viii. p. 320—828); and if some other writers have 
partly leaned the same way (whether justly called Wernerians, I 
will not stop to inquire), this disposition cannot be charged as 
derivable from Werner, whose positions are irreconcileable with 
any such attempt. 
It follows from the whole of these premises, that the floetz 
formations of Werner strictly commence with the old red sand- 
stone of England, and not, as has been stated, with the new or 
calcareous conglomerate. It follows also, that the charge of 
confusion in the views of that naturalist is obviated, and that so 
far from the floetz formations which came under his considera- 
tion having been few in number, they comprehended the whole 
series from the old red sandstone up to the chalk, and above the 
chalk, gravel, sand, clay, wood-coal, and the newest floetz trap 
formation. His arrangement of formations in Germany is, when 
duly construed, quite in accordance with their succession in the 
British Isles ; there is no hiatus ; we travel from the primary to 
the transition, and thence through the whole series of the floetz, 
in which last let it be observed, that though the carboniferous 
series be less fully displayed, yet other formations are in much 
greater force in Germany, and afford a greater variety of charac- 
ter than is to be found in the British Isles ; and here we may 
perceive the compensating power of nature. 
I have, therefore, yet to learn that more modern inquiries have 
at all invalidated the general positions of Werner. His grand 
outlines of the structure of the globe remain unshaken, from the 
fundamental granite up to the newest floetz trap. The labours 
of his followers, and of other geologists pursuing a similar path, 
have tended more and more to fill up those outlines. In our 
own country, few, if any, are entitled to greater distinction in 
that respect than Mr. Smith, whose views also have so far the 
merit of originality as they appear not to have been derived 
from any extraneous source. The later investigations of nume- 
rous English naturalists, of M. Greenough, Dr. Macculloch, 
Professors Buckland and Sedgwick, Messrs. Webster, Cony- 
beare, Miller, Phillips, Dela Beche, besid.e those of a host of Bri- 
