40 THE WONDERS OF GEOLOGY. Lect. I. 



rivers and lakes of fresh water have swarmed with living 

 things ; that at remote epochs, though animals and vege- 

 tables existed, the species were distinct from those that 

 now abound, and the greater number fitted to live in a 

 different climate than that which now prevails in the regions 

 where these relics are entombed ; and lastly, that in the 

 lowest and most ancient beds, all traces of mechanical action, 

 and of animal and vegetable organization, are absent ; in 

 other words, have either never existed, or have been alto- 

 gether obliterated. 



11. Connexion of geology with astronomy. — 

 Before entering upon that department of the subject to 

 which the term Geology is commonly restricted, it will 

 facilitate our comprehension of many of the phenomena 

 that will come under our notice, if in this place we 

 endeavour to penetrate the mystery that veils the earliest 

 condition of the earth ; but this we shall in vain attempt, 

 if we restrict our observations to the physical phenomena 

 observable in our own planet. Here Geology leads to 

 Astronomy, and teaches us to contemplate the kindred 

 spheres around us for the elucidation of the early history 

 of the globe, and to regard the earth but as an attendant 

 satellite on a vast central luminary. The solar system 

 consists of the sun, which is a mass of solid matter sur- 

 rounded by a luminous atmosphere, or nebulosity ; of 

 twelve planets, which revolve around it in various periods ; 

 of eighteen satellites ; and of numerous comets, three of 

 which do not pass beyond the orbits of the principal 

 planets. The earth is the third in distance from the sun, 

 and in bulk, as compared with that body, of the size of a 

 pea to that of a globe two feet in diameter ; and it has a 

 satellite, the moon, which revolves round it. 



Upon examining the moon with a powerful telescope, we 

 perceive that its surface is diversified by hills and valleys, 

 and presents a congeries of mountains, many of which are 



