Grayicacke. 



251 



writers seem to feel as if nothing were done, until this identity be 

 established. But it may appear hereafter, that their labor has been 

 almost in vain. How much toil and perplexity have geologists en- 

 dured, in endeavoring to ascertain whether particular formations 

 ought to be referred to the transition class of Werner ! And yet, 

 how few geologists there are, who do not now admit that there is 

 scarcely the vestige of a foundation for this class in nature : regard- 

 ing the introduction of this class into the nomenclature, (in the words 

 of Mr. Greenough*) like an attempt " to increase the list of primitive 

 colors by the addition of mixed tints, or the list of notes in music by 

 telling in the flats and sharps." 



In the present case, however, waving all general principles such 

 as have been alluded to, I freely confess that I am not thoroughly 

 enough acquainted with the formation which I denominate gray- 

 wacke, to be able to decide whether it does, or does not, correspond 

 with any known European formation. Long and patient study of its 

 organic remains and relative position, with the advantage of resi- 

 dence in its vicinity, ought to be bestowed upon it, before we can set- 

 tle this question. On this account I regard it as premature to des- 

 cribe as new, any of its anomalous varieties ; although some of them 

 differ so widely from the general type of the group, that they really 

 deserve distinct names, when these can be applied without the danger 

 of encumbering the science with synonymes. If it be the geologist's 

 object to advance the science, he ought to forego the gratification, and 

 it may be the honor, of affixing new names to anomalous rocks, until 

 they have undergone a most rigid scrutiny. Indeed, in my opinion, 

 very few of the rocks in this country, except perhaps the primary 

 ones, have yet been examined thoroughly enough to render it certain 

 that they are so radically different from those already described in 

 Europe, as to deserve distinct names. Whoever covets the ephemeral 

 honor of applying them thus prematurely, may be sure that every 

 cautious and able geologist will refuse to adopt them ; and regard 

 them as more indicative of self - sufficiency and vanity, than of scien- 

 tific acumen. 



Miner alogical Characters of the Graywacke. 



This rock varies in texture from the finest argillaceous slate and 

 shale, through ail the grades of sandstones, up to the coarsest con- 



* Grcenough's Geolojry, p. 233. 



