MINERALOGY. 401 



FIRST CLASS. 



PRIMARY STRATIFIED ROCK FORMATIONS. 

 FIRST ORDER. 



TRANSITION FORMATIONS OF MODERN TIMES, COTEMPORANE- 

 OUS WITH THE EXISTENCE OF MAN ON THE EARTH AND 

 STILL FOUND. 



By the term Primary Rock we understand all forma- 

 tions from drift, transport, alluvions, etc., which compose 

 the exterior strata of spongy or loose soil found on the 

 earth's surface, whether on the extended plain, deep val- 

 ley, or covering the bottom of lakes. 



The stratified rocks bear evidence in every part in 

 their regular layers, their worn sand or pebbles, and 

 their fossils, that they are the results of gradual accumu- 

 lations beneath waters, marine or fresh, or on the shores 

 of seas, lakes, and rivers. 



The organic remains of creatures belonging to species 

 yet existing, which, not exactly fossil, but half decayed 

 and partially burned, mingled with ernpyreumatic sub- 

 stances are often found deeply hidden within its structure, 

 and utensils of different kinds, and weapons of war, etc., 

 the relics of remote early times are also met with in the 

 excavations attending the improvements pursued at the 

 present day. By the influence of the atmosphere or 

 weather on the primary stratified formations, causing 

 degradation of certain portions soluble in water, and 

 carried away by floods, torrents, volcanic ejections, etc., 

 all contribute, by forming sedimentary deposits, to con- 

 tinually form, renew, or maintain the structure of this 

 formation. We shall first, in describing this class, name 



