38 STRATA IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF LONDON. 



IX. 



Chservations on some of the Strata in the Neighbourhood of 

 Ij>7idon, and on the Fossil Remains contained in them : by 

 James Parkinson, Esq.y Member of the Geological 

 Society*. 



Fossil orga- JM.- HE study of fossil organized remains has hitherto been 

 nized remains directed too exclusively to the consideration of the speci- 

 geology. mens therm^elves ; and hence has been considered rather aa 



an appendix to botany and zoology, than as (what it really is) 

 a very important branch of geological inquiry. 

 Compared From a comparison of fossil remains with those living or 



with living extant beings, to which they bear the closest analogy, great 

 resemblances and striking differences are at the same time 

 perceivable. In some instances the generip characters ma- 

 terially differ, but iu most they very closely correspond ; 

 while the Bpecific characters are very rarely found to agree, 

 except when the fossil appears to have existed at, compara- 

 tively, a late period. Of man, who constitutes a genus by 

 himself, not a single decided remain has been found in a 

 fossil state. 

 Chemical ana- Chemical analysis has been called in to the aid of the natu- 

 ralist, in order to account for the perfect state of preserva- 

 tion obaervable in remains organized with the most exquisite 

 delicacy, and whici) there is every reason for supposing to 

 h'ave been readily decomposable in their recent state. From 

 this investigation we learn the manner, in which these me- 

 morials of the old world, so interesting and so frail, have 

 been preserved. Some have been impregnated with calca- 

 reous matter, others with siliceous, and others with iron or 

 copper pyrites. 



But these facts, however important and interesting, can- 

 not, when considered by themselves, add much to our 

 knowledge respecting the formation and structure of the 

 JEarth, To derive any information of consequence from 

 them, on these subjects, it is necessary, that their exami- 



♦ Trans, yf the Geological Society, vol. 1, p. 324. 



nation 



Ivsis accounts 

 for their 

 jjressivation. 



Their study 

 s! I on id be con 

 jiecied with 

 that of the 

 fttata. 



