Analysis, <^c, of Cordier'^s Essay, ^-c. 109 



tems of natural history : in fine, he would be able to classify 

 its different beings according to their structure, which would 

 become a more difficult task, as other systems of organs 

 were added to those already observed. 



Such researches, directed by a skillful hand, by a philoso- 

 phical mind, and a judgment quick, clear and correct, would 

 lead to a solution of the great problem, whether the distribu- 

 tion of organic remains in different strata of the different 

 formations separated by periods, indicates a progressive de- 

 velopment of vegetable an(J animal life upon our globe. 



I also hope that such an undertaking may not omit also, 

 the attempt to explain the subject of climates, their relative 

 distribution, in particular, before the catastrophe of the 

 Deluge. 



I trust moreover, that the two following questions may be 

 definitely resolved. 



1. Ought we to separate a formation, the unity of which 

 has been acknowledged from the relative position, and iden- 

 tity of the beds which are interposed equally through the 

 superior and inferior strata, for the single reason, that the 

 former contain (supposed) fresh water shells, and the latter 

 salt water shells ? 



2. Is the total absence of organic bodies in certain mas- 

 ses of the secondary and tertiary formation a sufficient rea- 

 son for regarding these masses as distinct formations, where 

 other geological facts do not justify this separation ? 



Art. XIII. — Analysis of an '•'• Essai sur la temperature de Pinterieur 

 de la Terre, par M. Cordier, Ato, pp. 84. Lu a V Academic des 

 Sciences, 4 Juin, et 9 et 13 Juillet, 1827;" With observations ; 

 by Thomas Cooper, M. D. &c., President of the College of 

 South Carolina. 



The supposition of a central fire is of long standing : it is 

 found in the ancient mythological notions of Pyroplegeton 

 and Hephastos. No wonder. In the early times of the pre- 

 sent surface of the earth, volcanos, eruptions of lava, earth- 

 quakes, cataclysms, debacles, deluges, were events of fre- 

 quent occurrence ; more so than in our days, when near 

 two hundred volcanos, in a state of activity, serve as safety- 

 pipes to give vent to the gases and vapors generated in the 

 igneous mass below. 



