298 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



materials at this time are supposed to be nearly exhausted, although 

 still sufficient to cause ordinary earthquakes. 



The superficial rocks of the crust, as shown in this section, were 

 divided into four series, each of which was made up, in ascending order, 

 of Carboniferous, Quartzose and Calcareous rocks. The definitions 

 of the various classes forming the transition and secondary remained 

 much as in the early work, excepting that he divided his Class III 

 into a lower and upper division and added a fifth series, the Tertiary, 

 this latter including those strata which contained remains of viviparous 

 vertebral animals. 



The so-called anomalous deposits were those which have been pro- 

 duced at the earth's surface by fusion or disintegration of regular 

 strata, and were divided into (1) Volcanic deposits, (2) Diluvion, (3) 

 Postdiluvion, and (-±) Analluvion, the last including what are known 

 as residual deposits — that is, those which result from decay in situ. 



In the second edition of this work, published in 1832, the same gen- 

 eral ideas were advanced regarding the formation and uplifting of the 

 various rocks; a much more satisfactory chapter added on the charac- 

 ter and objects of geology, and also a chapter on organized remains 

 as auxiliaries in the determination of rocky strata, in this respect the 

 second edition being decidedly in advance of the first/' 



Many of the ideas put forward in the chapter on the character and 

 objects of geology are, in the light of to-day, peculiarly interesting. 

 The desire to harmonize all phenomena witnessed with the biblical 

 account of the deluge was still manifested: 



Geological facts lead us to the history of created beings long anterior to written 

 records. Such records may be erroneous, and we have no means of correcting 

 them. But geological records are perpetual, unvarying, and can not be vitiated by 

 interpolations or counterfeits. For example: The written history of the deluge 

 might be varied more or less by erroneous copies and incorrect translations. But 

 the geological records of divine wrath poured out upon the rebellious inhabitants of 

 the earth at that awful period can never be effaced or changed. These later records 

 add, to the Mosaic account, that even the antediluvial beasts of the forests and fens 

 partook of the ferocious nature and giant strength of antediluvial man. 



The bed of Lake Ontario Eaton regarded as made by the rapid dis- 

 integration of Saliferous and Carboniferous rock, while the beds of 

 Lake Champlain and the Mohawk and Hudson rivers were thought to 

 have originated, for the most part, bj T the disintegration of rocks at 



«The edition of 1832 was issued and sold under direct supervision of the author. 

 The following note relative thereto is in possession of the present writer: 



To General Howe (or whoever has received my geological text-book), deliver a 

 copy of my text- book to Professor Silliman and another to Professor Tulley (?), on 

 my account, Charge them to William S. Parker and I will cause the same to be 

 charged to me and also to be credited to you. July 24, 1832. 



Amos Eaton. 



N. B. I publish this edition myself, and have paid all cash, by way of trial. 



