304 THE BORDERLAND OF SCIENCE. 



neighbouring fragments. These are held to be results 

 of volcanic movements below, the operation of which 

 is further seen in numerous upbursts and intrusions of 

 fire-born rock (trap). That these disturbances took 

 place about the close of the formation, and not later, is 

 shown by the fact of the next higher group of strata 

 being comparatively undisturbed. Other symptoms of 

 this time of violence are seen in the beds of con- 

 glomerate which occur among the first strata above the 

 coal. These, as usual, consist of fragments of the 

 elder rocks, more or less worn from being tumbled 

 about in agitated water, and laid down in a mud paste, 

 afterwards hardened.* It is to be admitted for strict 

 truth ' (rather a desirable object, by the way, in all 

 such inquiries) ' that, in some parts of Europe, the 

 carboniferous formation is followed by superior deposits, 

 without the appearance of such disturbances between 

 their respective periods; but apparently this case is 

 exceptive. That disturbance was general is supported 

 by the further and important fact of the destruction of 

 many forms of organic being previously flourishing, 

 particularly of the vegetable kingdom.' 



It may be remarked in passing that the coal-seams 

 are strikingly deficient in the fossil remains of animals. 



* ' Volcanic disturbances,' adds our author in a note, ' break up the 

 rocks ; the pieces are worn in seams, and a deposit of conglomerate 

 is the consequence. Of porphyry, there are some such pieces in the 

 conglomerate of Devonshire, three or four tons in weight.' It is evident 

 from this note, following, as it does, on the above passage as to the 

 older rocks, that the writer is speaking of subterranean disturbances, 

 not volcanic action, properly so-called; for volcanic action does not 

 break up the older rocks ; that is the work of earthquakes. 



