RemarJcs on the Geology of Western New York. 241 



some analogies, and these when collected, form the first rudiments 

 of every grammar. 



To form a perfect language, or one as perfect as human nature 

 admits, it would be necessary to express all the corresponding chan- 

 ges of idea, by similar and corresponding changes in the primitive 

 word. All exceptions must be lopped away. Every rule must be 

 invariably applied as far as it is applicable. A uniform mode of de- 

 clension and conjugation, must in all cases, be followed. All words, 

 as far as possible, ought to be restricted to one meaning, and a 

 uniform method of connecting sentences, according to their associa- 

 ted ideas, ought as nearly as possible, to be pursued. 



A language, formed on these principles, would be learned with 

 more ease, retained with more certainty, would prove a more prompt 

 and more certain vehicle of thought, aud would promote the im- 

 provement of the intellectual faculties themselves. 



Art. IV. — RemarTis on the Geology of Western JVew York ; by 

 Geo. E. Hayes.* 



Geologists seem to have regarded the western counties of New 

 York as a secondary region. The horizontal position of the strata, 

 the salt springs and beds of gypsum, the evolution of carburetted 

 hydrogen from the rocks in various places, and the entire absence of 

 all trap rocks, are circumstances which would naturally direct the 

 attention of geologists that way. With some, they have been con- 

 sidered sufficient evidence to establish the secondary character of the 

 whole region ; while a late writer in this Journal has supposed all these 

 horizontal strata equivalent to the formation containing the lias of Eu- 

 rope. To me it would seem that the correctness of these opinions 

 may well be doubted. From the few examinations I have been able 



* Buffalo, Oct. 15, 1836. 

 To Prof. Siluman — Dear Sir, — Claiming nothing more than the character of 

 a learner in the science of Geology, it is with no little hesitation I venture to send 

 you the result of my observations, in the attempt to apply the principles of the 

 science to the rock formations of this region. I do not know that these observa- 

 tions contain any thing new to your readers, or of sufficient interest to deserve a 

 place in your valuable Journal. Of that, sir, you are a competent judge. It does 

 seem to me, however, that the subject is not well understood ; at least, it is so en- 

 cumbered with new names, as to be a source of much perplexity to a learner. 



Respectfully, your obedient servant, Geo- E. Hayes, 



Vol. XXXI.— No. 2. 31 



