332 TIME. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



TIME. GEOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. 



Time, an clement in Nature's Operations Geological Science 

 Its Facts and Inferences Nebular Hypothesis applied 

 Primary Formations Plutonic and Metamorphic Hocks 

 Transition Series Palaeozoic Rocks Commencement of 

 Organic Arrangements Existence of Phosphoric Acid in 

 Plutonic Rocks Fossil Remains Coal Formation Sand- 

 stones Tertiary Formations Eocene, Miocene, and Pliocene 

 formations Progressive changes now apparent General 

 Conclusions Physics applied in explanation. 



THE influence of time, as an element, in producing 

 certain structural arrangements, by modifying the opera- 

 tions of physical force, under whatever form it may be 

 exerted, has scarcely been sufficiently attended to in the 

 examination of cosmical phenomena. Every particle of 

 matter is, as it were, suspended between the agencies to 

 which we have been directing our attention. Under the 

 influences of the physical powers, sometimes exerted in 

 common, but often with a great preponderance in favour 

 of one of them, every accumulated heap of mud or sand 

 is slowly cohering, and assuming the form of a rock 

 possessing certain distinguishing features, as it regards 

 lamination, cleavage, &c. 



The minute particles of matter are necessarily but 

 slightly influenced by the physical forces : their action 

 in accordance with the laws which determine physical 

 condition is manifested in an exceedingly modified 

 degree. But in all the operations of nature, what is 



