4 NEGLECT OF THE STUDY OF THE PRIMARY ROCKS. [Ch. I. 



than it would otherwise possess. Indeed, without such an 

 introduction, the succeeding theoretical discussion would not 

 be generally understood : for the granitic formations have not 

 been carefully studied by all the cultivators of geology during 

 the last twenty years ; and even now they attract little at- 

 tention, as is clearly demonstrated by the brief and un- 

 satisfactory manner in which they are sketched in the recent, 

 and otherwise excellent, works of De la Beche and Lyell. 

 Dr. Macculloch, indeed, during the early part of the period 

 specified, continued to enrich this branch of the science with 

 a vast body of facts, to which I am indebted for numerous 

 and most important illustrations : but, with this exception, no 

 geologist of note, in this country, has published any minute 

 and descriptive details concerning the primary rocks ; all 

 have been absorbed in the pursuit of the wonderful and 

 fascinating knowledge unfolded by the fossiliferous strata. 

 This predilection in favour of a new study, which gave access 

 to unexplored regions, abounding in valuable productions, is 

 not surprising ; but, now that time and successful researches 

 have somewhat satiated the vehement curiosity at first ex- 

 cited, it may be hoped that the other department of the 

 science will no longer be regarded as uninteresting or un- 

 fashionable ; but that each will equally be the subject of 

 active and patient investigations. 



There is reason to expect that this desideratum is on the 

 eve of being accomplished ; for Professor Sedgwick, in his 

 address to the Geological Society in 1830, pointed out and 

 advocated the importance of the study of the older rocks. 

 And he has also added example to precept : for some time past 

 he has been, and is still, engaged in exploring the intermediate 

 or transition rocks, the debateable land on the confines of 

 the primary formations. Nor must it be forgotten, that 

 De la Beche has been occupied during the last two years in the 

 examination of Devonshire ; so that the primary rocks must 

 necessarily come under his observation : and that they will 

 receive a careful investigation may be expected, not only from 



