286 SINGULAR APPEARANCES IN THE LIMESTONE. 



the gneiss were interstratlfied regularly and distinctly. 

 How, then, came these anomalous appearances ? They 

 are regarded by some as proofs of the theory that the 

 crystalline limestones, like the granites which have been 

 fused, are of igneous origin ; that they have been 

 melted, and in this state have been elevated from 

 beneath, and injected into the anomalous situations in 

 which they are occasionally found. Without denying 

 the possibility of such fusion and injection, there is no 

 occasion, I think, to have recourse to this supposition 

 with the view of explaining the phenomena hitherto 

 observed. The most strenuous supporter of this igneous 

 origin of the crystalline limestones in North America is 

 Dr Emmons of Albany — a man of much learning, who 

 has enjoyed many opportunities of personally observing 

 such rocks in situ. My attention was drawn to the 

 subject by this gentleman during my stay in that city ; 

 I shall, therefore, if my space permit, return for a little 

 to the consideration of his views in a subsequent chapter. 



