Sketch of a Classification of the European Rocks. 3 1 



seems, indeed, no good reason why man and the monkeys should not 

 have lived as well as the bears and hyaenas at periods antecedent to 

 this epoch ; but until the remains of the two former be found in rocks 

 proved to be formed previous to this period, it cannot be affinaed 

 that they did.* The animals now existing, considered as a mass, 

 appear to differ specifically from those whose remains are found en- 

 tombed in the various rocks, gravels, clays, &z;c. formed previously 

 to the existing order of things. There are indeed a few exceptions 

 to this observation, but the body of evidence seems to render a new 

 creation presumable. 



Group 2. [Diluvial) comprises those gravels so commonly occur- 

 ring in situations where actual causes could not have placed them, 

 but where, on the contrary, such causes tend to destroy them. The 

 most extraordinary feature of this group is the distribution of those 

 enormous blocks or boulders found so singularly perched on moun- 

 tains, or scattered over plains far distant from the rocks from whence 

 they appear to have been broken. Many valleys appear to have 

 been scooped out of horizontal or nearly horizontal strata at this 

 epoch ; the force which excavated them having acted often upon 

 strata shattered and broken into faults. Of course a general modifi- 

 cation of the previously existing forms of mountain and valley must 

 have taken place, if we are to consider the catastrophe general. 

 Much information is yet wanting respecting this group, which it is 

 hoped those observers who have been more especially occupied with 

 it, will soon afford us. 



Group 3. [Lotvest Great Mammiferous) comprises the rocks com- 

 monly known as tertiary : they are exceedingly various, and contain 

 an immense accumulation of organic remains, terrestrial, fresh-water, 

 and marine. The recent observations of some able geologists have 

 shown that the upper members of this group approach more closely 

 than was formerly supposed to the existing order of things. We yet 

 require much information respecting even the European rocks com- 

 posing this class, notwithstanding the labors of those who may almost 



* Should such observations as those lately made on the caverns of the department 

 of the Gard by M. de Christol {Jlnnales des Mines, 1829) be multiplied, and should 

 it be always shov/n that human bones and pottery are, as is stated (o be the case, in 

 these caverns, really of the same date as the hyfena's bones, dung, &c. with which 

 they are mixed, — we can scarcely refuse to admit that man existed previous to the 

 alluvial epoch ; supposing it in all cases proved that these cavern remains are of the 

 same date as those considered of the diluviBdl period. 



