412 



MINERALOGY. 



Geognosy. In the newer formations, bitumen makes its appear* 

 ""y^ ance ; and in the newest formations, as in the floetz- 

 trap, we find immense accumulations of bituminous in- 

 flammable matter. 



It was only after the deposition of these immense 

 repositories of inflammable matter in the floetz-trap, 

 that volcanoes could take place : they are, therefore, 

 to be considered as new occurrences in the history of 

 nature, although they may extend far beyond histori- 

 cal record. The volcanic state appears to be foreign 

 to the earth, a circumstance that points out its great 

 antiquity. 



8. Serpentine Formation-Suite 



Serpentine . Contains but two members ; the older, that which 

 formation- occurs in a conformable position with the primitive 

 suite. rocks ; and the newer, that which overlies the primi- 

 tive rocks. 



The phenomena presented by all these formations, Geognoiy. 

 Werner remarks, coincide with the hypothesis of the '*""">'"' 

 gradual and universal diminution of the waters of the 

 globe. We shall conclude what relates to that subject, 

 by a general observation respecting the effects which 

 would be produced on the surface of the earth by the 

 diminution of the water; and then state the arrange- 

 ment of the different formations, founded on the pre- 

 ceding observations respecting their order of succes- 

 sion. 



It is evident, that as the water diminished, and the 

 dry land appeared, the motion of the water would be 

 altered, and its currents receive new directions or be 

 divided. These changes must have had a very power- 

 ful effect on the former surface of the dry land, and, 

 by ^destroying a part of the earlier formations, would 

 afford matter for newer formations. 



FORMATIONS, acording to WERNER. 



