416 Miscellanies. 
of those large animals, the mastodon, hippopotamus, megatherium, 
rhinoceros, &c. To this recent period, belong the causes which are 
now so evidently in action, and with which we are familiar, such as 
the formation of coral reefs and islands, deltas, travertins, active volca- 
noes, &c. 
“Viewing these changes the facts of which have been established 
by the united exertions of geologists, within a comparatively short 
period, we reflect with intense interest on the disappearance from our 
planet of an immense number of species, numerous genera and even 
some families ! 
“The cause of the vast changes which it is ‘evident to our senses 
have taken place, are among the most interesting which have engaged 
the attention of mankind. Theories of all kinds have been promul- 
gated, and little good has arisen from them, except that of the grad- 
ual development of facts, the accumulation of which has added to 
our stock of knowledge. It is said to be Fuchsel (a German geolo- 
gist,) who first asserted that the causes now in operation were suffi- 
cient to produce the changes observed in our strata. ‘ Similar changes 
may now take place; for the earth has always presented phenomena 
similar to those of the present day.’ Such is the remarkable lan- 
guage of the author, published about seventy years since. Very re- 
cently the theory of actual causes has been considered in England 
by some of her ablest geologists, as sufficient to satisfy the atten- 
tive observer. Mr. Lyell may now be considered as the leader of 
this theory, and the mass of facts brought together in his admira- 
ble work, would seem to be enough to satisfy the most sceptical. 
“The rapid change which is now going on in the greatest altitudes 
of Switzerland, points out to us the modes in which nature is opera- 
ting by decomposition, and the attraction of gravitation. When stand- 
ing on the borders of the Mer de Glace, and while crossing its fro- 
zen bosom, this operation was brought most forcibly to my mind. 
Every moment my ears were saluted with the sound, more or less 
distant, of rocks precipitated from some height into the abysses be- 
low, and which reverbated over this frozen sea. The time may come 
when the pinnacles of Mont Blanc and other mountains, which sur- 
round the beautiful valley of Chamounie, will have been precipitated 
to their bases, and the debris be so completely carried off as to leave, 
perhaps, that beautiful and fertile spot itself, the highest pinnacle of 
the country; a naked rock to be gazed at from a distance.. 
