CONCJIOLOGY. 



of the surface of the earth, and in a fossil state, arc properly 

 considered as monuments which bear testimony to the revo- 

 lutions which the globe has undergone during the lapse of 

 ages; and the knowledge of these fossil-remains of marine 

 animals, and which appear to have lived in the same plnces 

 where they are at present found is become highly interesting 

 to the Naturalist. 



The investigation of this subject has acquired a higher 

 degree of importance from the light which it is calculated to 

 throw, as well upon the true theory of the globe, as upon 

 the modifications which the living Shells undergo in the 

 regions in which they exist. 



In reality it plainly appears that the fossil shells and 

 testaceous animals, equally fossil, and the different marine 

 fragments found in that state, scattered over very opposite 

 regions of the globe, upon the highest mountains, in the 

 middle of solid continents, have been the remains of animals 

 which have resided in these very places, and amongst which 

 Ave perceive many which have their exact similitudes, now 

 existing in our seas. 



The quantity of these animal-remains which we find 

 in the dry parts of the globe is found to be so enormously 

 great, that we can only suppose them to have been brought 

 by the movement of the waters, which have formed large 

 banks, through the extent of many strata. Amongst these 

 remains certain shells of a tenuity and delicacy are dis- 

 covered, and still retaining their form complete. These 

 considerations seem sufficient to some writers to prove that 

 these fossil remains have really lived in these very parts 

 of the globe, and consequently that the sea has withdrawn 

 itself from the land. 



