150 



Humboldt found by experiments, that the gas which 

 he had collected in the mines contained iron in so- 

 lution.* 



He likewise detected an earth in solution, in what 

 is termed the electrick rain waters, f 



But waving all comments on the above experiments, 

 and admitting the possibility of earthy and metallick 

 substances being formed in the small way, or upon a 

 small scale, by a combination of aeriform fluids, modi- 

 fied or assisted either by electricity, or anj other agent, 

 we hazard nothing in saying that similar results may 

 be expected from the operation of the same agents up- 

 on the large scale. Indeed, a careful and attentive 

 view of the subject, at least, so far as relates to that 

 class of rocks which I have mentioned, will justify the 

 conclusion, that some analogous process must have been 

 employed in the formation of those districts which con- 

 tain, in the greatest abundance, and in an infinite va- 

 riety, organick remains of animals completely lapidi- 

 fied, and in a state of preservation so perfect, that eve- 

 ry essential characteristick of their several species is 

 still retained. 



Such a state of things seems, conclusively, to be in- 

 compatible with the igneous, or humid process of for- 

 mation, particularly the latter, and for reasons which I 

 have already advanced. 



That a change of matter, or the formation of sub- 

 stances, upon a scale so extensive, and, at the same 



* Patrin, vol. V, page 252. f Vol. V, page 255. 



