28 . II. RELICS. Introduction 



beds, in most instances, appears to have been that of 

 simple deposition; but under various modifications. 



Sea-shells and other marine bodies,possessing but a 

 small degree of locomotive power, evidently have 

 been generated, have lived, and died, in the same ac- 

 cumulated heaps their remains now exhibit. These 

 have, apparently, in some instances, been gradually 

 intombtd, by matter, precipitated from an immense 

 body of water, slowly, without alteration, through 

 an unknown length of time; and, hence, forming 

 strata of great thickness. These strata holdjhrough- 

 out their whole substance extensive beds of shells and 

 other organic bodies, the production of which must 

 therefore have kept pace with the increase of matter 

 deposited an accumulation of mineral and organic 

 materials thus, by degrees, arising together. 



In other tracts, marine bodies of the vermes class 

 have been more quickly enveloped. The matter 

 of the deposition having been repeatedly changed, 

 forms, in such cases, only thin, successive strata 

 of various kinds of earths and stones, alternating 

 with each other. In these tracts, the reliquia gene- 

 rally occur between the strata, that is, in the seams 

 or interposed layers of clay, &c., (semi-strata) or 

 towards the surface of each bed, the middle part, or 

 body of the constituent substance, being often void 

 of organic remains. These appearances indicate the 

 strata to have been formed at distant intervals of 

 time and, that the deposition and consequent accu- 

 mulation of mineral materials, in each stratum, were 

 too sudden to allow an equal increase to the bodies 

 enveloped. 



