374 RECAPITULATION OF THE OBJECTIONS [Ch. XVI. 



such an opinion, however well adapted to remove one diffi- 

 culty, falls into another ; for it is opposed to the phenomena 

 exhibited at the junction of granite and slate, and which, even 

 Sir James Hall has allowed, indicate "an infusion of the liquid 

 granite into hard and brittle strata." And we have attempted 

 to show that the protrusion of this rock in a solid state is not 

 only unsupported by analogy, but is at variance with the na- 

 ture and arrangement of the granite and schistose rocks at 

 their junction. On these grounds, therefore, we think that 

 the theory of the elevation of strata by granite is not founded 

 on correct and certain data : indeed, inasmuch as the nature 

 of the term stratum is indefinite, and has been applied in an 

 indiscriminate manner to very different kinds of beds, even by 

 the same observer, no evidence concerning the direction and 

 dip of strata can be esteemed, until it be determined in what 

 sense the term has been employed. We have stated our rea- 

 sons for not adopting Elie de Beaumont's theory concerning 

 the relative ages of mountain chains : nothing farther, how- 

 ever, need here be added, since many of the most eminent 

 geologists have proved that it is not in accordance with the 

 phenomena of inclined strata in different countries. 



In examining the other appearances of the primary rocks, 

 which have been commonly referred to various movements, 

 we have expressed an opinion that they are fallacious, and 

 more easily explained on the supposition of their being con- 

 temporaneous with the formation of the rocks in which they 

 occur. We disagree with the general opinion, for the fol- 

 lowing reasons: 1. As regards the convolution of rocks; 

 because contorted beds alternate with other beds which are 

 plain and regular; because the laminae of rocks are also simi- 

 larly circumstanced ; because the colouring ingredients of 

 rocks, whether on a large scale, as in strata, or on a small, 

 as in laminae, are likewise subject to the same arrangement ; 

 and, lastly, because granite and trap, travertin and other 

 aqueous deposits, and agates and alabaster, also exhibit the 

 most complicated curvatures and contortions, in all of which 



