. III. DIST. CHAR. Soil. 159 



as the most ancient (vetustissima) of the secondary 

 class The upper strata abound in organic remains, 

 and though ancient ( vetusta ) are less so, than those 

 of the same order in which fewer petrifactions occur. 



Obs. The soils of this order generally appear in 

 mountains,, but are, for the most part,, less elevated 

 than the primary tracts which they invest or follow 

 Their rocks are all marigenousf. They consist 

 of compact limestone, some sandstones, petrosilex or 

 chert, toadstones, rubblestoncs, argillites and basalt ? 

 perhaps some marlitcs and shales rarely por- 

 phory and tienite ? 



b. 131. THE LESS ANCIENT SEC. s. (S. secund. 

 vctula] contain vegetal petrifactions alone, or mixed, 

 more or less, with marine animal remains some- 

 times marine animal remains only ; but these soils are 

 distinguished from the ancient secondary by the 

 bones of jtslrf f/ or of amphibious animals, being 

 blended with the shells and other -vermal relics ff f 

 They follow and repose on the ancient secondary 



soils tttt- 



t This, in respect to basalt and other stones of the same 

 order, will be disputed by many geologists. 



ft Glossopetrce, Bufonitce, Ickthyospondyli, &c. of au- 

 thors. 



ft t Frequently Echinita, which are not common in the ancient 

 secondary soils. 



tttt May they not sometimes immediately repose on, or flank, 

 primary mountains, without the intervention of tiie transition or 



