52 clinton's introductory discourse. 



kindred science of mineralogy, have been almost entirely uncultivated 

 with us; and when w T e consider their immense importance, and the 

 extensive investigation which they open, we must be convinced that we 

 ought to devote more than ordinary attention to their cultivation. 



The aspect or physiognomy of our country is certainly marked by 

 striking and extraordinary characters. The Hudson is the only river 

 in the United States where the tide passes through the alluvial primi- 

 tive transition and into the flaetz formation. In the east we have an 

 ocean of salt water. In the west we have fresh-water seas of im- 

 mense extent: there is every indication, not only of the recession 

 of lakes, but also of their total exsiccation:* hence we have three 

 kinds of alluvial formations : one arising from the retreat of the 

 ocean, another from the subsidence or extinction of lakes, and ano- 

 ther from the overflowing, retreat, and change of rivers. Marine and 

 vegetable substances are to be found, particularly in the western parts of 

 the state, embedded in sand-stone, or in silicious or calcarious stone ; 

 and, besides evidently recognising in them aquatic animals which are 

 well known to us, we perceive a great number of unknown ones, that 

 must be pelasgian or oceanic, and which must have derived their loca- 

 tion from the general submersion of the earth. The cornu ammonis 

 has been found near Albany, about which there is a diversity of 

 opinion ; some supposing that it is the horn or bone of some animal, 

 while others consider it a native fossil.f All these indications support 

 the Neptunian theory; but there are several circumstances which 

 denote the agency of an igneous principle. Volney, indeed, supposes 

 that Lake Ontario occupies the crater of a volcano ; and it is believed 



* See Note G. t See Note H. 



