340 ILLOGICAL GEOLOGY. 



similar organic forms were once more widely spread, ia 

 doubly fallacious ; and, consequently, the classifications of 

 foreign strata based on this conclusion are untrustworthy. 

 Judging from the present distribution of life, we can 

 scarcely expect to find similar remains in geographically 

 remote strata of the same age ; and where, between the 

 fossils of geographically remote strata, we do find much 

 similarity, it is probably often due rather to likeness of con- 

 ditions than to contemporaneity. If from causes and ef- 

 fects such as we now witness, we reason back to the causes 

 and efiects of past epochs, we discover inadequate warrant 

 for sundry of the received doctrines. Seeing, as we do, 

 that in large areas of the Pacific this is a period character- 

 ized by abundance of corals ; that in the North Atlantic it 

 is a period in which a great chalk-deposit is being formed ; 

 and that in the valley of the Mississippi it is a period of 

 new coal-basins — seeing also, as we do, that in one exten- 

 sive continent this is peculiarly an era of implacental mam- 

 mals, and that in another extensive continent it is peculiarly 

 an era of placental mammals ; we have good reason to hes- 

 itate before accejDting these sweeping generalizations which 

 are based on a cursory examination of strata occupying but 

 a tenth part of the Earth's surface. 



At the outset, this article was to have been a review of 

 the works of Hugh Miller ; but it has grown into some- 

 thing much more general. Nevertheless, the remaining 

 two doctrines which we propose to criticise, may be con- 

 veniently treated in connection with his name, as that of 

 one who fully committed himself to them. And first, a few 

 words with regard to his position. 



That he was a man whose life was one of meritorious 

 achievement, every one knows. That he was a diligent and 

 Buccessful working geologist, scarcely needs saying. That 

 with indomitable perseverance he struggled up from ob 



