236 Review of *^ Outlines of the 



Another subject, that struck us forcibly in the introduc- 

 tion to this work, is the incHnation of the strata of conglo- 

 merate rocks. The following remarks may not coincide 

 with the views of the thorough-going Neptunian : but it 

 certainly requires something more than mere assertion to 

 set them aside. 



"When beds recomposed from the fragments and detri- 

 tus of older rocks (such as are called conglomerates and 

 puddingstones) which must previous to their consolidation 

 have existed as loose gravel, occur among vertical or high- 

 ly inclined strata, we may conclude with absolute certain- 

 ty that this inclined position cannot have been original, but 

 must have resulted from subsequent disturbance ; for is is 

 obviously physically impossible to support an aggregatfon 

 of loose gravel in vertical or nearly vertical planes. Asim- 

 ilar argument will apply when, among the it>clined strata, 

 thin beds distinguished by peculiar organic remains, are in- 

 terposed." p. 16. IntTod. 



Much is said in the Introduction concerning the change 

 of level in the ocean, which is evinced by the immense 

 quantity of marine relics scattered over two thirds of all 

 known continents ; and some "hasty generalizations'' of 

 the Wernerians are exposed : but we cannot stop, to ex- 

 hibit the writer's ingenious train of remark. The subject 

 of the formation of vallies is also treated with ability : and 

 the conclusion is, that the agency of existing streams is by 

 no means sufficient to account for the phenomena these 

 vallies present. The proof of this, is not merely the inad- 

 equacy of the cause to produce the effect, but, more emin- 

 ently, the occurrence of transverse, as well as longitudinal 

 vallies ; both of which could not possibly have been exca- 

 vated by the present streams ; and, therefore, it seems ne- 

 cessary to call in the aid of diluvial currents. This sub- 

 ject, we believe, has received little or no attention in this 

 country. 



We should gladly notice particularly some other points 

 brought forward in the Introduction. But this article has 

 already swelled so much, that we can only observe, that 

 the subject of diluvial and alluvial deposites is clearly exhi- 

 bited, and the whole closes with the connection of geolo- 

 gv with religious enquiries, especially with the Noachian 

 deluge and the age of the world. We cannot avoid ex- 



