12 Introduction to Geology. 
clusions which they afford from time to time, even to the most 
‘autious observer, have nothing vague or arbitrary in their 
nature. Finally, by the careful investigation of these events, 
which approach, as it were, to the history of our own race, we 
may hope to be able to discover some traces of more ancient 
events and their causes; ; if, after so many abortive attempts 
already made on the same subject, we may yet flatter ourselves 
with that hope.” 
From the commencement of his investigation, the observer 
is struck with the numerous proofs of the altered state of our 
globe, and with the extensive distribution of the fossil remains. 
Not in one particular spot, not in one region, not in one quarter 
of the globe alone: but wherever the strata have been explored; 
in the greatest subterranean depths, in the bowels of moun- 
tains, in situations far remote from the sea, and on heights 
vastly above its level, these wonderful relics are deposited. 
In almost every part of the world, the same phenomena are 
exhibited, constituting durable monuments to mark the revolu- 
tions upon our planet. As the enquiry pr oceeds, it 1s per ceived 
that the species of fossil animals, and even many genera, differ 
totally from the animals that now inhabit the ‘earth. In the 
order of fossil Testicea, appertaining to the English form- 
ations, more than 1300 species have been named and described 
by Messrs. Sowerby and other naturalists; but it is probable 
that at least nine tenths differ materially from the recent 
species. On the Continent, M. Lamarck has produced a list, 
and specified the distinguishing characters of about 720 spe- 
cies of fossil shells. Messrs. Cuvier and Brongniart enumerate 
more than 600 species of marine shells in the calcaire grossier 
of the environs of Paris, by far the greater number of which 
are unknown in a recent state. 
By means of the fossils in this order of rocks, we are fur- 
nished with unanswerable evidence of the antiquity of our 
globe, and we can form some vague notions of the vast series 
of years which must have elapsed during the formation of such 
a multitude of deposits, and even of the subordinate parts of 
any one formation; for instance, those of the London clay, 
or calcaire grossier. ‘These were evidently deposited slowly, 
and in a tranquil sea, since the fossils are found in regular 
beds, and in perfect preservation. It also appears that, “after 
some species were deposited, they wholly disappeared, and 
gave place to others, All these facts indicate a long series of 
generations of marine animals. 
Now, in comparing these phenomena with what takes place 
in our seas, it does not appear that any similar depositions, to 
any material amount, are proceeding. 
