64? DOMAIN I. SIDEROUS. 



time may perhaps some day afford the definitive 

 solution of this great geological problem. Do- 

 lomieu occupied himself much upon if 5 and he 

 doubtless would have succeeded in uniting both 

 parties, if death had not overtaken him in the 

 midst of his labours. He adopted neither of the 

 two opinions : he was persuaded that both were 

 admissible, according to localities; because hav- 

 ing often seen in the products of the burning 

 volcanoes of Italy, rock entirely resembling ba- 

 salt, and even other primitive rocks, he had 

 found by long experience, that only the charac- 

 ters of locality would decide on the origin of 

 either. He had, according to this principle, 

 observed some basaltic countries, among others 

 Auvergne and the Vicentine, and he had re- 

 garded them as volcanic. I chiefly cite these 

 two examples, because I know that many cele- 

 brated German mineralogists are of a contrary 

 opinion*." 



A yet later French mineralogist has thus ex- 

 pressed his sentiments upon this curious and 

 long- agitated subject. 



myself, if I thought that would induce the advocates of the tvro 

 opinions to publish fresh memoirs, to undertake their own defence. 

 This great quarrel has been long hushed, and probably both parties 

 foave collected new observations." 

 * Brochant, ii. 6 12. 



