478 ORIGIN OF ERUPTIVE AND PRIMARY ROCKS. 



and the characteristic strata of the carboniferous system, and 

 between that series of rocks and the constitution of the primitive 

 atmosphere. In this, as in much of what has been stated in this 

 paper we recognise how intimately linked together all natural 

 phenomena and all departments of science are. The various natu- 

 ral sciences are like the crystalline rocks; they graduate into each, 

 other, forming, when properly interpreted, a compact, well ordered 

 and harmonious whole. 



And while we study and recognise all this, surely it behoves us to 

 acknowledge reverently the great Author of all. The mere exter- 

 nal features of primitive districts inspire us with feelings of 

 wonder and awe. Standing on the summit of Gaustaf jeld, we can 

 look northward over hundreds of square miles of primitive rocks, 

 forming there the broad, barren plateau of Hardangerfjeld. As 

 far as the eye can reach there is spread out a desert of rocks 

 broken only by the lakes, which form the sources of the turbulent 

 streams that leap down into the fiords of the west and south, or 

 by valleys with precipitous sides, which seem as if hewn out of 

 the solid rock of the plateau beneath the level of its general 

 surface. The scanty and stunted vegetation heightens the desola- 

 tion of the scene, but nevertheless its rugged grandeur causes the 

 observer to be deeply impressed with his own insignificance, and 

 with the awful power of the Originator of the universe. But 

 how greatly is this feeling deepened when the architecture of 

 these rocks and the mode of their formation is considered. Here 

 we feel our utter littleness even more forcibly ; but we at the same 

 time gain some idea of that series of processes and revolutions by 

 which the earth was fitted for man. and of the power and wisdom 

 of the great Designer who caused our present beautiful earth to 

 emerge from the chaos of the primitive period. We also learn 

 enough to exclaim with the Psalmist, " Of old hast Thou laid the 

 foundations of the earth." 



Acton Vale, C. E. 



12th January, 1864. 



