12 Mr. Weaver on the [JULY, 



think that they constitute formations that are distinct from, and 

 wholly wanting in, the geological series of England ; being in 

 the order of succession interposed between the new red sand- 

 stone and the lias limestone. For the clearer development of 

 this position, so far as it has proceeded, we are in a great degree 

 indebted to the active researches of Dr. Boue. Further 

 researches, however, seem to be required before this question 

 can be considered as satisfactorily and definitively settled, inas- 

 much as the terms muschel-kalk and quadersandstein have both 

 been avowedly very loosely applied in different parts of the 

 Continent. But at present, I confess, I rather lean to the view 

 of the subject entertained by M. von Humboldt and Dr. Boue. 



The preceding remarks may not appear wholly inapposite as a 

 preliminary to what I am about to offer. 



In presenting in an English dress, and in a compendious form, 

 a Selection from the Annales des Mines of a number of very 

 valuable geological memoirs, Mr. De la Beche has performed a 

 most acceptable service to the British public ; and the interest- 

 ing geological map of France and of the adjoining countries, 

 constructed by M. Omalius d'Halloy, and prefixed to the work, 

 forms a very appropriate introduction, being also convenient as 

 a subject for general reference. The book, I doubt not, will 

 shortly be, as it justly deserves, in the hands of every British 

 geologist. 



In this map, M. Omalius d'Halloy has distributed the whole 

 of the formations, which constitute the crust of the globe, into 

 six groups, which (taken in an ascending order) are as follows : 



1. The primordial, comprising the primary and transition 

 rocks. 



2. The todte liegende or red sandstone group. 



3. Comprising the zechstein (magnesian limestone), new red 

 sandstone, muschel-kalk, quadersandstein, and oolite formation. 



4. The iron and green sand, and chalk formation. 



5. The formations posterior to the chalk, whose aqueous origin 

 is not doubted. 



6. Comprising all basaltic and trachytic rocks, and the pro- 

 ducts of existing; volcanos. 



In this order of arrangement, the todte liegende or red sand- 

 stone group (occupying the position of the carboniferous series), 

 is distinguished by Mr. De la Beche both on the map, and gene- 

 rally throughout the work, as identical with a new red sandstone 

 conglomerate. Yet the documents contained in this book alone 

 not only afford a direct confutation of that statement, but it will 

 be seen that in the construction of the text, Mr. De la Beche is, 

 on this point, at variance with himself. 



It is important that this subject should be placed in its true 

 light, for where authorities are balanced against each other, it 

 becomes the more necessary that facts alone should be allowed 

 to preponderate. 



