1846.] The Taconic System. 209 



abstract of the plan and submitted it to the criticism of the Rev, 

 Prof. Dewey of Rochester, whose knowledge of the Avhole sub- 

 ject entitled his opinion to great weight. Prof Dewey approved 

 of the division proposed in the main. It resulted in separating 

 the rocks in the vicinity of the Taconic range, both from the pri- 

 mary and the New York transition as we then called them. The 

 subdivisions then proposed in Disturnel's State Register, and 

 which were adopted in the reports of the state geologists, were, 

 1. Primary; 2. Taconic; 3. New York System, divided into 

 Champlain, Ontario, Helderberg, Erie and Catskill divisions. 



It seemed that without a generalization of the geological series 

 of rocks, they never could or never would be understood, and it 

 has proved of the highest utility. Although the divisions lay no 

 claim to a classification, and are merely geographical, yet it so 

 happens that the divisions are geological also. This point we 

 were anxious to secure, and after an examination of the fossils as 

 they were then understood, we foresaw that the divisions must be 

 maintained nearly as they were first proposed. 



Since the first idea of an independent system was struck out, it 

 has been our object either to confirm it, or else to learn those 

 facts which would destroy it. But all our observations have 

 tended to confirm it; and we now' consider it established upon a 

 foundation which cannot be moved. We have had the good for- 

 tune too to discover fossils in it, which carries back life and or- 

 ganization upon the globe far anterior to the period of the foima- 

 tion of the New York or Silurian system. What other discovei ies 

 remain in regard to the character of the organization of this ear- 

 ly period in the earth's history is yet to be disclosed by observa- 

 tion. 



No. VIII. 4 



