Remarks on Professor Eaton'' s Communication, 1 49 



himself incapable of sound observation, because he is 

 unable to see that which is not visible " — Again he says, 

 in reference to another linnestone rock, "In this case the 

 same limestone will, like clay slate, bear a share in both 

 these artificial divisions, (primary and transition,) for artifi- 

 cial I must needs consider divisions which nature has sepa- 

 rated by a boundary so feeble and so undefinahle." And in 

 conclusion he remarks: '' Should this be the case, it will con- 

 firm the supposition which I have su^eested in other parts of 

 these papers, that no real and well defined line of dis- 

 tinction exists between (he transition and prin)itive rocks, 

 but that they form a graduating series of one single /orma- 

 tionj a series so tjradual as to render it expedient once 

 more to return to the most simple division of rocks, into 

 primary and secondary."* 



To those conversant with recent geological works, we 

 need not say, that views similar to the above are rapidly 

 gaining ground. 



We regret that we should be thought to " neglect our 

 own countrymen in order to do homage to Europeans." 

 We regard geologists as C( n^tituting one great family, 

 who ought to feel that they are brethren ; and we have 

 always endeavoured to avoid those unworthy and un- 

 founded partialities and antipathies that result from a dif- 

 ference of country or of opportunities. We endeavour to 

 look upon a geological production with equal eye, whether 

 it come from the banks of the Seine, or the Danube, or 

 the Thames, or the Hudson, or the Potomac. Much as 

 our feelings as Americans prompt us to appreciate the 

 works of our own countrymen in such a manner that they 

 may sustain a favourable comparison with those of Euro- 

 peans, yet our feelings as members of that great scientific 

 republic which embraces the whole world, check our 

 national partialities, and lead us to adhere to the principle, 



Tros Tyriusque mihi nuUo discrimine agelur. 



We do not, however, wish to conceal the fact, that we 

 regard Europe, rather than America, as the centre of 

 geological science; and of course maintain that we are 



* Geological Transactions, vol. II. pp. 410, 417, 449. 



