INTRODUCTION. XlX 



allomorph of, serpentine ; and, what is equally significant, the 

 expansions are included in a calcareous matrix. It may there- 

 fore be confidently assumed that the point which at first sight 

 appears to favour organic intervention in the production of the 

 flocculent " canal system/' altogether ceases to be such in 

 presence of the foliaceous configurations of metaxite. 



Respecting the magnesian limestone coralloids, and other 

 forms, we have on different occasions spoken of them as gigantic 

 similitudes of the " canal system/' " stolons/' and " chambers " 

 of "Eozoon." We cannot say of them, any more than it can be 

 said of the metaxitic configurations, that they have been elabo- 

 rated precisely in the same way as the " eozonal " structures. It 

 is sufficient for our purpose that they strikingly resemble not only 

 corals and other organisms, but casts of tubes, chambers, and 

 other structures of the kind just referred to, in their external 

 form, and have seemingly no relation in this respect to ordi- 

 nary crystalline or mineral developments; yet every one who 

 has studied them in situ is compelled to admit that they are 

 solely the products of inorganic agencies. As such, then, it 

 may be safely asserted that in relegating the " canal system " 

 of "Eozoon Canadense" to the inorganic kingdom, we are 

 supported not only by evidences of the most decisive character, 

 but by facts strictly belonging to mineralogy and the related 

 sciences. As further justifying this step, it may be mentioned 

 that the coralloids, &c., and their matrix, are demonstratively 

 secondary products that have resulted from chemical changes 

 (Chap. XV. and pp. 118, 119). 



Supplemental Notes on the Structure and Affinities o Eozoon 1866, 

 Canadense. Dr. W. B. Carpenter. Q. J. G. S. vol. xxii* 

 pp. 219-228. 



To which is added a note containing an extract from a com- 

 munication, dated March 28th, from Dr. Dawson announcing 

 his discovery of " the occurrence of Eozoon preserved simply 

 in carbonate of lime." 



62 



