Ch. XIV.] OF THE STRATIFIED ROCKS. 327 



to the more recent beds of lias, or the oldest members of the 

 oolitic group ; and that it has sometimes changed them into 

 gneiss and mica- slate. This is more in point, and if satis- 

 factorily proved would certainly be decisive of the question 

 now under consideration ; but, before the evidence can be 

 received, it must be substantiated by the most minute and 

 circumstantial details, in order that the train of reasoning 

 by which this conclusion has been arrived at may be carefully 

 scrutinised. We have already endeavoured to point out how 

 little dependence can be placed on an apparent transition 

 between the primary and secondary rocks, even when these 

 are well exposed to view : and when it is remembered what 

 different conclusions have been drawn from phenomena clearly 

 displayed in the cliff-sections of the Cornish coasts, how 

 difficult it often is to detect the real state of things, even 

 under the most favourable circumstances, we may form some 

 conception of the allowances that ought to be made for 

 Alpine investigations. It may, perhaps, be considered by 

 some that we are only starting a groundless and vexatious 

 objection : but hear what Studer has said of this same 

 geologist, when describing the connection of gneiss and lime- 

 stone in the Bernese Alps : "II est'singulier que M. Hugi 

 ait mal represente les faits dans ces lieux ; car ni sa descrip- 

 tion, ni ses profils, ne coincident avec la realite, qui confirme 

 cependant si bien ses observations dans ce Rothal." Again, 

 De la Beche, after describing the phenomena of Jungfrau, as 

 recorded by Studer, adds, that " we must here remark the 

 uncertainty of many sections of this kind, however clearly the 

 lines of separation may be exhibited on the face of a huge 

 precipice, as this is ; for it is well known to all accustomed to 

 examine disturbed districts, where inconformable rocks have 

 been tilted up together, that natural lines of section often 

 cause a large mass of inferior rock to appear included in the 

 superior beds, when, in fact, such appearance is entirely de- 

 ceptive. This arises from a portion of the older rock pro- 

 jecting into the newer rock, having been accidentally cut 



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