II. RELICS, into Min. Kingd. 23 



then existing, enveloped in the substance of the 

 strata. 



supposing, that the ocean, after the first deposits, began to retire 

 gradually into the internal cavities of the earth. It need not be 

 pointed out to the scientific reader, that the assumption of subter- 

 ranean caverns, capable of containing the vast body of water, which 

 according to the Neptunists covered the whole surface of the 

 globe, forms one of the most exceptionable principles in their 

 theory.) 



10. Soon after this period organization commenced marine 

 animals of the Verities class being first created, and their re- 

 mains gradually enveloped by subsequent depositions from tht 

 ocean. 



11. The depositions immediately after animal life commenced 

 were partly chemical, partly mechanical 



12. The chemical consisted of such matter, as was originally dis- 

 solved in the ocean the mechanical, of such materials as its long 

 continued action, on the emerged parts of the globe, had again, for 

 a time, suspended. 



(Obs. These depositions form the intermediate or transition 

 rocks of Werner. They rest immediately on the primary, and 

 contain but few petrifactions, which are always marine generally 

 shells or zoophites.) 



13. The strata formed by these depositions were chiefly of 

 rubble-stone, sandstones, some limestones, breccias, argillite, 

 cherts, and, perhaps, porphyries and sienite. 



1 4-. The water, after depositing these latter formations, conti- 

 nued to diminish ; consequently, in process of tune, a larger extent 

 of land was uncovered, and fitted for the reception of animals 

 and vegetables. 



15. The partial disintegration of the emerged strata being still 

 carried on, the remains of such animals and vegetables, as had 

 existed on those portions of the earth, which the mechanical ac- 



