We have thus traced the great series of stratified rocks from 

 their Hypogene Granite foundation up through the Carboniferous. 

 But this — though forming all that is distinctly shown in and 

 near New-York — is only the earliest and oldest portion of the 

 geological formations which are known, and embraces, in a his- 

 torical view, only the development on earth of the lower and 

 older forms of tnimal life. We may be permitted very briefly 

 and rapidly to glance at the succession of the newer formations 

 and the character of their fossil relics, as shown by explorations 

 in other regions. Of all these formations and fossils, it is 

 intended to show hereafter some small collections in this State 

 Museum ; which may thus not only afford the student a very full 

 and complete exhibition of our own Palaeozoic rocks and fossils, 

 but a general representation of those of that later part of the 

 whole grand series, which, beginning at the era of the Coal, 

 reaches to the period of man's existence and civilization. 



Though these formations exist in many parts of the world, the 

 best connected series of them is that of* England. There, as 

 here, are found the hypogene or granite rocks, succeeded by 

 gneiss and other metamorphic strata ; and these are followed by 

 .vast piles of rocks similar in general texture to, and closely cor- 

 responding in fossils with, the rocks of New-York. The lower 

 part are there called Silurian ; the upper, Devonian : the former 

 corresponding, as far as we can judge, with our strata below the 

 Oriskany sandstone ; the latter, with those between it and the 

 Carboniferous.^ Shells, trilobites, and remains of fishes are 

 found in those rocks, .of forms sometimes identical w4th those of 

 New-York, sometimes only having a general resemblance ; but 

 these strata are there so broken, upheaved, and distorted, and 



•The Devonian includes the Old Red sandstone, made so famous by the attractive geo- 

 logical writings of Hugh Milleu; and the American counterparts of its strata are probably 

 to be found from the Hamilton group to the Catskill group. They contain similar fish- 

 remains ; but in their other fossils, differ very materially from the Old Red sandstone of Scot- 

 land. 



