OBSERVATIONS ON BASALT, &C. 16' 



fuppofition which in all probability is not altogether juft; but, 

 when the fmallnefs of the angle O L C is recollected, the 

 error arifing from the hypothefis vanilhes in a great meafure. 



JOHN GOUGH. 



Middlefhaiv, Feb. 8, 1805. 



Obfertations on Bafalt, and on the Tranfition from the vitreous 

 to the fiony Texture, which occurs in the gradual Refrigeration 

 of melted Bafalt ; withfome geological Remarks. In a Letter 

 from Guegory Watt, Efq. to the Right Hon. Charles 

 Greville, F.P.R.S. From the Philofophical Tranfaclions 

 for 1804, p. 279. 



(Concluded from Page 126.) 



jt\ CURIOUS diverfity may prevail in the products of a Fufion and cool- 

 compound body fubiefted to fufion, when abfolute folution i s in S ma y produce 



1 1 ,ir, 1 r 1 /■ <• 1 1 1 different refuks 



produced. When merely iimple iufion takes place, the aggre- i n compound bo- 

 gation of the parts only is deftroyed : the fluidity arifes from dies > the morc 

 the facility with which they move on each other; and a regu- !, nc j grac | ua i t he 

 lated diminution of temperature, by facilitating their re-union, other, 

 can hardly fail to recompofe the fame fpecies that formerly 

 appeared to exift in the compound. But, if the molecules 

 have been diflolved and decompofed, and their component 

 particles diffufed through the fluid, there feems to be very little 

 probability that any re-union ftiould compofe the fame mole- 

 cules. It is more likely that new compounds will be formed, 

 from which new molecules, and of courfe new cryftals, will 

 be generated; and that, confequently, the fame rock may be- 

 come the parent of very diversified offspring. Thefe will 

 however retain fome traces of their origin ; for, as there can 

 be no fufion of a compound body imagined, in which the mu- 

 tual action of the components will notdecompofe fome portion, 

 there can be no folution fuppofed fo perfect that every mole- 

 cule (hall be deftroyed. In the firft cafe, there will exift the 

 germs of a new composition; and, in the fecond, there will 

 remain the relics of the old. 



If thefe obfervations are corre6t, considerable utility feems The aqueous 

 derivable from them, in the explanation of fome geological formation exhi- 

 r ■ , , bitsfimilarfa&s. 



problems. 



