92 Observations Concerning Fossil Organic Remains. 



so that they may mutually assist each other, and become 

 two inseparable sources from whence we may derive the ma- 

 terials of a theory of the earth ? 



According to the views of M. Cuvier, then, a theory of the 

 earth should be the result of a knowledge, which is partial ; 

 whilst it ought to be on the contrary, the result of a knowl- 

 edge which is general, and which embraces every thing be- 

 longing to the science of Geology. The discovery of fos- 

 sil remains ; the observation of differences among their gen- 

 era and species ; their diversified appearance when in differ- 

 ent strata, and the epochs to which they may be supposed 

 to belong, — are so many materials for framing a theory of the 

 earth ; but they are not the only materials : they merely co- 

 operate with other branches of knowledge to form a com- 

 plete system. 



Therefore I maintain, that the origin of the theory of the 

 earth cannot he attributed^ exclusively^ to organic remains. 



The arguments which I have cited, prove, if I mistake not, 

 that we, already, had collected many materials for the com- 

 mencement of a theory of the earth, previous to any pro- 

 gress in the study of fossil remains, and their scientific clas- 

 sification, founded upon comparative anatomy ; for which, 

 we are indebted to M. Cuvier as the original author. 



I take it for granted that M. Cuvier in advancing this po- 

 sition forgot for the moment, that he was accusing the great 

 Werner of not having given sufficient attention to the 

 study of organic remains. Nevertheless, Werner had erect- 

 ed a geological system, which has rendered the name of 

 this distinguished philosopher immortal, although according 

 to the opinion of M. Cuvier, he did not sufficiently occupy 

 himself with what he maintains to have been, and to be, the 

 only foundation for a theory of the earth. Every one will 

 maintain with me, I think, that Werner has laid the founda- 

 tion of Geology. His labors have brought to light materials, 

 which are, and must always remain of the highest value in 

 the formation of a theory of the earth ; although connected 

 with a class of knowledge different from that, which is de- 

 rived from the study of organic remains. 



Finally, let us suppose for a moment, that we were igno- 

 rant of all that is at present known concerning organic re- 

 mains ; and that our geological knowledge was limited to 

 what we know of those formations called primitive, transi- 

 tion, secondary and tertiary, gathered from their conforma> 



