80 C. A. Goessmann on the Chemistry of Common Salt. 
their saline constituents being very different from that found at 
present. But on the other hand we must concede, that an entire 
elimination of one or more of these constituents could only be 
accomplished by such an alteration in the physical andchemical 
condition upon our planet, or in the nature of the disintegrating ; 
agencies, as would create new affinities of sufficient power, to 
alter the originally existing compounds. The composition of 
the present ocean, as compared with that of saline deposits of a 
more ancient date, requires the assumption of such revolutioniz- 
ing causes; causes, however, which may be looked upon as 
merely a natural consequence of the lapse of time during the 
history of ourearth. The same agencies in fact, which are still 
at work in effecting changes in the character of the saline com- 4 
— of the hea ocean, suffice to explain the gradual trans- . 
formation of the primitive ocean into that of the present day. ) 
The mineral ape the presence of which we had reason to 
suspect in the primitive ocean, became neutralized by degrees, 
and ceased to react upon the newly exposed rock ; and as the a 
temperature diminished, anew “ 
zi 
became active. This acid, then so abundant in the atmosphere 
life, though a slower is by no means a less powerful agent in 
effecting the decomposition of exposed rocks; it has enriched 
is still enriching the ocean with saline compounds. Car- 
bonates and silicates of alkalies and alkaline earths were in this 
way introduced into the oceanic waters; and thus a gradual 
removal of metallic and earthy oxyds, and in some cases of 
those of the — earths also,: was effected. The sulphuric 
acid, exchanging t ds of the earths and the metals for 
lime, formed a less hate sulphate, so that the amount present 
ependent upon concentration and temperature. The 
beat exoeeied the sul lines since an pet of any sulphate, 
except sulphate of oti would have caused t e decompositio 
- on chlorid of calcium.* An increase of - chlorids of the 
ine earths, as of calcium and magnesium, and of the 
_alixalies, particularly of sodium, if we may judge from the 
present composition of the ocean, was the final result of the 
= -*The supposition that chlorid Se ae pe ok See peneie constiinenin, 
_ can onl beatae ae enera Digeast ccalesd universal diffusion 
B 
