T. STERRY HUNT. 5l-(2] I 



The part which the atmosphere has taken in these pro- 

 cesses is not less important. Through the aerial circula- 

 tion has come the enormous volume of carbonic acid 

 which has played an indispensable part in the decay of 

 the rocks, and uniting with lime and magnesia lias formed 

 the carbonates in the earth's crust, besides furnishing, 

 through the agency of vegetation, all the carbonaceous 

 matters found therein in the forms of coal. ] etroleum 

 and related bodies. Time will not here permit us to enter 

 into the considerations which lead to the conclusion that 

 this aerial circulation involves not only the immediate 

 atmosphere of our planet but that of other worlds as 

 well ; so that through it we are placed in relations of 

 material interdependence with other bodies of the solar 

 system, and even with the remotest realms of space. 

 Such a relation, which was long since conjectured by 

 Newton. I have endeavored to establish by chemical 

 and geological considerations. 



And now in conclusion let me say that I have sought 

 in this evening's discourse, to give you some glimpses of 

 the great processes of inorganic nature, as seen in the 

 decay and disintegration of old rocks and the building- 

 up of new ones, including more especially the formation 

 of veinstones, with their segregations of rare and valuable 

 ores and gems. I have pointed out the functions in all 

 these processes of the terrestrial, the oceanic and the 

 aerial circulations, which show everywhere a perpetual 

 flux, a ceaseless decay, and a constant renewal : and make 

 it clear that the earth, the waters, and the air. have a 

 physiological history not less wonderful than that of the 

 growing oak or of man himself. To man alone is, how- 

 ever, reserved the distinction that in him matte]' attains 

 such a perfection of organization that he is placed in 

 conscious relation with the external world, that he learns 

 to comprehend the significance of nature, and to under- 

 stand the formative processes which have evolved the 

 present order from the primeval chaos. Nay, rising- 

 higher still, man becomes aware of an intimate relation 

 with the spirit of nature itself, and feels, in his moral 

 consciousness, that this spirit is not only the life of all 

 material things, but the power, not ourselves, which 

 makes for righteousness. 



