Williams.] werner's system. 15 



of this group which resemble the first group, but contain fossils, are 

 called "Transition" by Werner, and "Intermediate" by other geol- 

 ogists. The Secondary are called "Floetz." 



In addition to these two grand epochs, there were recognized by some 

 geologists, 



(3) The Tertiary, including the upper part of the Secondary class of 

 Werner, which is distinguished as containing the remains of quadru- 

 peds ; 



(4) An Alluvial class, consisting of gravel, sand, clay, marls, recog- 

 nized by its resting upon the previously mentioned class; and 



(5) The Volcanic class, the rocks of which were undoubtedly produced 

 by fire. 



In general, Werner believed all rocks were formed from one and the 

 same solution by deposition, either chemical or mechanical. These 

 " depositions " were made at various heights determined by the gradual 

 departure of the water as it evaporated or sank away into cavities in 

 the earth. But, to account for the formation of the " Secondary trap w 

 and certain "Primitive porphyries," new inundations were assumed to 

 have taken place. 1 In his system there were series of formations, and 

 each series was denominated a " suite ; " thus, there were eight of these 

 suites, called — 



1. Limestone formation suite. 



2. Slate formation suite. 



3. Trap formation suite. 



4. Porphyry formation suite. 



5. Gypsum formation suite. 



6. Salt formation suite. 



7. Coal formation suite. 



8. Serpentine formation suite. 



Thus, " the limestone formation suite " consists of — » 



1. White granular limestone in the Primitive class (with large, granular, distinct 

 concretions). 



2. Variegated limestone in the Transition rocks, having " less translucidity, n and 

 containing the first traces of petrifactions. 



3. The gray Floetz limestone, scarcely translucent on edges, and full of petrifactions, 

 and found in the Floetz or Secondary rocks. 



4. Chalk. 



5. Limestones and marls of the Paris Basin. 



6. Calcareous tuff. 



In these series, extending from the earliest to the latest period, there 

 is a gradual disappearance of the crystalline, and a gradual increase 

 of the earthy aspect, " corresponding with the relative age of the dif- 

 ferent members of the series, and the state of the solvent from which 

 they were precipitated, and all serving as proofs of the immensely 

 great but gradual alteration of the state of the universal waters. n 

 "Quietness of the water" was the characteristic at first, and as the 



»Op. cit.,p.436. 



