On the Transition Rocks of the Cataraqui. 247 



ever be proved by the foundations of the granite being once observ- 

 ed, it would not be deemed very difficult, thus to account for all the 

 appearances which the trap rocks put on without having recourse to 

 the more far fetched notions of the gradual relaxation of volcanic 

 action, from the creation down to the era of the newer traps and 

 lavas. 



Moreover, as it is known that every substance in the mineralogic- 

 al world, is capable of being reduced into its constituents, and as 

 those constituents are further reducible into metallic bases, it is just 

 as easy to imagine therefore, that granite and its compounds had an 

 aqueous as an igneous original, and it appears more probable to the 

 chemist, that the particles of feldspar, mica and quartz formed by 

 their elements of silex, alumina, lime and alkali would assume their 

 present confused crystallizations in the absence of great heat, rather 

 than in its intensity, and as all the substances entering into the com- 

 position of granite, have some of each other's elements, it is not dif- 

 ficult to believe that where the element of silex predominated, a 

 quartzose granite would be formed, where the aluminous element 

 was most attracted, a feldspathose or micaceous, and the presence of 

 calcareous and magnesian particles, would create hornblende, and 

 consequently be sienites. The paper maker takes three or four col- 

 ors and drops them on a basis of water or oil, arranged in a bed or 

 stratum, the stick is then applied, and the colors stirred about. 

 When they have thus mixed, a sheet of paper is dipped onto them, 

 and the artist shews you a beautifully variegated imitation of mar- 

 ble, in which you in vain try to trace the original blots of distinct 

 color. This is an operation a child may perform, and yet nature is 

 equally simple in hers, and the varieties of granite were no doubt 

 made in a manner equally easy to be comprehended, chemical affin- 

 ity, or disturbance of the fluid masses under pressure, creating all 

 those beautiful displays of arrangement which the original elements 

 there assume, whilst in the trappose rocks, the suddenness with 

 which they would cool on reaching the ocean, or the air, would 

 equally well account for the singular perfection of some of their con- 

 tained crystals, particularly in the dolerites and lavas. 



Let us not, therefore, too hastily abandon altogether the Werne- 

 rian doctrine, for although parts of it are indefensible, and have been 

 disproved by facts, yet on the whole, it has not been so much sha- 

 ken as some of its antagonists are willing to believe. It remains to 

 be seen, whether or not this theory may not be so interwoven with 



