GEOLOGICAL. 



199 



were upheaved into mountains, thus producing the beau- 

 tiful uuevenness of the earth's surface ; whilst the flinty 

 skeletons preserved their original loveliness, and, as we 

 see in the deep-sea soundings, on comparing fossil with 

 recent specimens, both are found entire : so that we may 

 reasonably believe that the bed of the deepest seas is 

 gradually being prepared, by the accumulation of in- 

 finitely little animal remains, for the mountains of a 

 future age. 



Various forms of sponge spiculcs. 



The old painters, before commencing their work, knelt 

 before the blank canvas, and asked God's blessing on the 

 work they were about to commence. Should we not, in 

 like manner, approach the study which has brought us 

 together with a reverential and adoring spirit, while we 

 behold the Almightiness of God, as distinctly visible in 

 an atom as in the creation of a world ? 



Before leaving this very interesting part of our study, 

 do let me again direct your attention to the variety of 

 forms in these sponge spicules, all of which, remember, 



