SUCCESSION AMONG ROCKS. 275 



of universality, using that term in the general sense 

 formerly stated, it is this one. Still, it is proper to 

 remark, that in the red marl series, which is in itself a 

 very complicated one, there is a very irregular recur- 

 rence of the different integrant beds. 



Ascending from this series, we find, in different 

 countries, various successions of limestones, clays, 

 shales, and sandstones. But our accurate observations 

 on this branch of geology are as yet limited to 

 Europe, nor can we pretend to say that they include 

 the whole, even of this small division of the globe. 

 Hence, the arrangements which have been laid down 

 for the succession of strata from the red marl upwards, 

 may be local, to this extent ; while the disagreements 

 of geologists on certain points, may make us fairly 

 doubt whether we do not imagine ourselves possessed 

 of more knowledge, even of Europe, than we have 

 yet acquired. There is still a want of conciliation, 

 for example, between the order of England and that 

 of those portions of the continent which have been 

 best studied ; but these are differences which ought to 

 excite no surprise, except in those who have a dor- 

 mant affection for the theory of universal formations, 

 or who are determined to find the type and model of 

 every thing in the country of their regards. If, as has 

 often here been said, these strata have been deposited 

 in seas more or less distinguished in forms and posi- 

 tion, and bounded by original mountains of diverse 

 character, it is a necessary consequence that, with a 

 general analogy, such differences should exist. And 

 if all the seas and climates of such tracts have not 

 contained precisely the same living animals in the 

 same order of succession, it is equally impossible that 

 the fossil remains should agree through all, or be 



T 2 



