the Western Part of Asia Minor. 



39 



In Western Asia Minor, 



1. The oldest organic remains belong to the cre- 

 taceous system*. 



2. The limestones and shales of the cretaceous sy- 

 stem are compact, and sometimes semi-crystal- 

 line. 



3. The mountain-chains have been elevated at the 

 close of the secondary period. 



4. The igneous roclcs are chiefly of the tertiary pe- 

 riod. 



In North-western Europe, 



1. An immense series of fossiliferous strata under- 

 lies the cretaceous system. 



2. The limestones and shales younger than the car- 

 boniferous system are soft and earthy. 



3. The loftier mountain-chains have been elevated 

 chiefly in the transition or early part of the se- 

 condary period. 



4. The igneous rocks are chiefly of the secondary 

 period f. 



It may become a question for the speculative geologist, whether all these discre- 

 pancies may not be resolved into a mere difference in the dates at which a similar 

 train of events occurred in both these regions. Thus, if we assume that a series of 

 vast subterranean commotions, accompanied by the exhibition of intense heat, has 

 taken place in both countries, — obliterating the organic remains in the lower strata, 

 and indurating the substance of the upper ones, elevating mountain-chains and 

 setting in action a long train of volcanic operations, — we have only to suppose that 

 in Asia Minor this period of subterranean energy occurred at the close of the 

 secondary epoch, and in Northern Europe at its commencement; and the chief geo- 

 logical differences between the two countries may perhaps be explained without 

 much difficulty. 



* The Silurian rocks of the Bosphorus have been shown to belong to a distinct geological region. 

 See note, p. 4. 



t Auvergne and the Eifel form, we believe, the only exceptions to this proposition. 



