864 



THE WONDERS OF GEOLOGY. 



Lect. VIII. 



examples of this transmutation occur. In some instances 

 the calcareous beds in contact with the fundamental rock of 

 shale, are irregular and perfectly crystalline, but change to 

 a stratified disposition, and earthy texture, in proportion 

 as they are further removed from the schist. In other 

 places, the metamorphosis takes place more gradually, each 

 bed of limestone {Lign. 197, #, a, a) losing its stratified 

 character, and becoming irregular and crystalline (b) where 

 in contact with the schist (c), as is shown in this sketch : 



Lign. 199. — Metamorphism of Limestone from contact with Schist: 

 Isle of Man. 



(Dr. Macculloch.J* 



a, Stratified limestone ; b, Crystalline limestone ; c, Schist. 



the stratified and unstratified rocks ceasing at length to 

 possess any mineralogical distinction. And it is a remark- 

 able and highly instructive fact, that while in the stratified 

 limestone organic remains occur, they are altogether absent 

 in the crystalline mass. 



In the Isle of Anglesea, mountain limestone, full of 

 organic remains, may be traced gradually passing into 

 ' Western [sles. 



. 



