Observations Concerning Fossil Organic Remains. 97 



" But we will admit that strata widely differing from each 

 other may be formed at the same moment, not only in differ- 

 ent parts of the globe, but even in the same place. 



" We cannot deny a conclusion drawn from facts immedi- 

 ately under our eyes ; for whatever takes place upon the sur- 

 face of the globe, belongs to the same geological epoch, and 

 which commenced at the moment when our continents took 

 their actual form : and although this epoch may have a 

 character of stability or repose, in the geological phenomena 

 it presents, which does not permit, except in a few cases, the 

 formation of new rocks ; nevertheless, it produces still a few 

 of these for our observation ; for example, the lavas of Ve- 

 suvius and other volcanos, the calcareous tufas formed in 

 many of our streams, and the siliceous sinters in those of Ice^ 

 land; all of which, are, mineralogically, quite distinct from 

 each other; but the organic remains they enclose have all 

 the common character of belonging to a creation formed 

 since the commencement of this epoch. To desire a great- 

 er number of examples, and of course, proofs of a similar 

 truth, would prolong, unnecessarily, an argument already 

 somewhat extended. 



" It is not the same with generations of organized beings ; 

 they can be, it is true, destroyed in an instant ; but a long 

 time is requisite to create them anew, in order that they may 

 present the number and the varieties of development which 

 they now exhibit. This development requires a long series 

 of ages ; or at least of years, which establishes a true geolo- 

 gical epoch ; during which, all organized beings which in- 

 habit, either the whole surface of the globe, or at least a 

 very large part of it, have assumed a peculiar character of 

 family or of epoch, which, though it cannot be defined, can- 

 not be mistaken. 



" I consider then, those characters relating to the epochs 

 of formations, which are taken from organic remains, as of 

 the first value in geology, and as superior to all others, how- 

 ever valuable they may appear : thus, even when characters 

 drawn from the nature of the rocks, (and these are very 

 weak,) such as the height of the strata, the hollowing out of 

 vallies, likewise the incHnation and contrasted stratifica- 

 tion of beds, — are found in opposition with such as are 

 furnished us by organic remains, I shall allow to the lat- 

 ter the preponderance : for all these effects may be the; 

 result of a revolution, or of a sudden formation, which does 



Vol. XV.— No. K 13 



