490 



GEOLOGY. 



remains, and gave an interest and impulse to the 

 study of geology beyond what had been before 

 experienced. Cuvier, indeed, may be said to be 

 the Newton of geology, and had his attention been 

 solely devoted to this science, or rather could he 

 have had his ever active existence prolonged be- 

 yond the period of humanity, we might have hoped 

 from his acute and comprehensive intellect, joined 

 to his laborious investigation of facts, as complete 

 an elucidation of the phenomena of geology as 

 Newton has bequeathed us of the solar system. 



Of the more recent systems of geology, Mr 

 Lyell's is the most conspicuous. In its leading 

 features it is identical with that of Dr Button, and 

 of his classical illustrator, Mr Playfair. Mr Lyell 

 maintains the same infinitude of operations, the 

 same wearing down of old continents, and the re- 

 surgence of new ones. He, however, disclaims the 

 interference of all causes except those that are 

 strictly in operation at present, not even allowing 

 an intensity of power beyond what is daily mani- 

 fested on the earth's surface. In this way he re- 

 jects the paroxysmal fusions and elevations of 

 rocks by the unexplained " central heat" of Hut- 

 ton and Playfair, and accounts for the elevation of 

 strata to the slow and progressive effects of igne- 

 ous action, as exemplified in existing volcanoes. 

 Thus an infinitude of movements, consisting of a 

 progressive decay and renovation of strata, gradu- 

 ating by imperceptible steps into each other, make 

 continually the circuit of the earth's crust, and to 

 accompany these movements in the inorganic mass 

 a progressive development and destruction of animal 

 and vegetable life take place coincidently, so that 

 system succeeds system, merging into, and embrac- 

 ing each other, like cycle and epicycle, where nei- 

 ther beginning nor end is perceptible. To eluci- 

 date these views, Mr Lyell has accumulated a mass 

 of most interesting facts regarding volcanic pheno- 

 mena, and adopting the hint of Cuvier, has person- 

 ally investigated the newer strata in the volcanic 

 districts, so as to enable him to trace a chain of 

 formations from the oldest visible systems up to 

 those which have had their origin in the present 

 times. While these investigations were being 

 made of the newer formations, Mr Murchison and 

 professor Sedgwick were exploring the older sedi- 

 mentary deposits in England and Wales. Many of 

 these formations, which were at one time supposed 

 to contain few or no traces of organic remains, 

 were now found to exhibit many species of new 

 and unknown molluscous and vertebrated animals. 

 Fortunately, to aid the investigations of these zea- 

 lous geologists, the researches of professor Aggas- 

 siz in ichthyology were at hand to throw light on 

 the remains of fishes which were found in the older 

 sandstones and slates. From their combined la- 

 bours, the transition series of rocks hitherto unde- 

 fined, were arranged into regular groups, character- 

 ized by peculiar fossils ; and a splendid work was 

 given to the public explanatory of this system. 

 (See Silurian System.") Dr Maubel too, was la- 

 bouring in the investigation of the fresh water for- 

 mations of the wealds of Sussex, and made disco- 

 veries of the existence of huge reptiles, as well as 

 plants and minute animals in that deposit (see 

 Wealderi), while Dr Hibbert was exploring the 

 fluveabile limestones of the south of Scotland. 



On the continent, Elie de Beaumont deduced 

 his theories of periodical elevations of mountain 

 chains, from an inspection of the parallelism of 

 particular mountain formations; Boue carried on 



his geological surveys ; and Erenberg, by the aid of 

 the microscope, showed that some of our solid tri- 

 poli stones and chalk masses owed their existence 

 to millions of minute animalcules in a fossilized 

 state ; while in America, Dr Hitchcock traced 

 the foot marks of gigantic birds, who had stalked 

 over the ancient sand beds, and left the impres- 

 sions of their footmarks alone behind. (See Orni- 

 thicnites.') The same zeal for geological investiga- 

 tion has been carried by young travellers into every 

 region of the globe. In the lower range of the 

 Himmala mountains, Dr Falconer and Capt. 

 Cantly discovered the remains of several new mam- 

 malia, (see Sivatherium') and communications of 

 interest are daily emanating from other cultivators 

 of the science. " When we compare," says Mr 

 Lyell, "the result of observations in the last thirty 

 years, with those of the three preceding centuries, 

 we cannot but look forward with the most san- 

 guine"expectations to the degree of excellence to 

 which geology may be carried even by the labours 

 of the present generation. Never perhaps did any 

 science, with the exception of astronomy, unfold, 

 in an equally brief period, so many novel and unex- 

 pected truths, and overturn so many preconceived 

 opinions. The senses had for ages declared the 

 earth to be at rest, until the astronomer taught 

 that it was carried through space with inconceiva- 

 ble rapidity. In like manner was the surface of 

 this planet regarded as having remained unaltered 

 since its creation, until the geologist proved that it 

 had been the theatre of reiterated change, and was 

 still the subject of slow but never ending fluctua- 

 tions. The discovery of other systems in the 

 boundless regions of space, was the triumph of as- 

 tronomy ; to trace the same system through various 

 transformations, to behold it at successive eras 

 adorned with different hills and valleys, lakes and 

 seas, and peopled with new inhabitants, was the 

 delightful meed of geological research. Whether 

 the investigation of the earth's history and struc- 

 ture will eventually be productive of as great prac- 

 tical benefits to mankind, as a knowledge of the 

 distant heavens, must remain for the decision of 

 posterity. It was not till astronomy had been en- 

 riched by the observations of many centuries, and 

 had made its way against popular prejudices, to the 

 establishment of a sound theory, that its applica- 

 tion to the useful arts was most conspicuous. The 

 cultivation of geology began at a later period, and 

 in every step which it has hitherto made towards 

 sound theoretical principles, it has had to contend 

 against more violent prepossessions. The practical 

 advantages already derived from it have not been 

 inconsiderable, but our generalizations are yet im- 

 perfect, and they who follow may be expected to 

 reap the most valuable fruits of our labour. 

 Meanwhile the charm of first discovering is ours, 

 and as we explore this magnificent field of inquiry, 

 the sentiment of Niebuhr the great historian of our 

 times, may continually be present to our minds, 

 that " he who calls what is vanished, back again 

 into being, enjoys a bliss like that of creating." 



GHAZEEPORE, OR GAZYPOOR; a town in 

 Hindostan, long celebrated for its rose-water, is 

 the capital of a circar or province of Hindostan, 

 of the same name. It is situated on the left bank 

 of the river Ganges, forty-one miles north-east 

 of Benares, and ninety-two miles east of Al- 

 lahabad. It is described by bishop Heber as a 

 large town or city, and when viewed from the 

 river, as presenting a very striking appearance, 



