222 On the Fossil Shells of the Paris Basin. 



tion from the nature of the subjects being more within a 

 rational controul. It will now be understood, after what we 

 have elsewhere said, that Zoology is the basis of Geology, 

 and that there can be no science in the latter beyond what it 

 owes to organic remains, and of this truth, we are therefore 

 every day more and more convinced.* 



The Silurian System. By R. I. Murchison, Esq., 

 F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. &c. 



[Continued from vol. i. p. 527.] 



We know of no elementary work in which the entire 

 succession of strata, from the most ancient to the recent de- 

 posits are exhibited in a connected view, so as to include 

 the results of recent observations. The rocks beneath 

 the old red sandstone have been fully investigated by 

 Mr. Murchison, who has pointed out a regular series of 

 strata beneath the old red sandstone, distinguished by the 



i 



* Nothing can exemplify more forcibly the truth of the concluding 

 observations of M. Deshayes, than the following analysis of Murchison's 

 Silurian System, except indeed the original work of Mr. Murchison itself, 

 which, like that of M. Deshayes, is unfortunately inaccessible, from 

 its size and expense, to the generality of readers, particularly in India. 

 Many instances of the practical importance of organic fossils in direct- 

 ing enquiries for coal and other useful minerals, will be found throughout 

 our notices of Mr. Murchison's work ; but it is only necessary to refer 

 the reader to vol. i. p. 18 of this Journal, to be convinced of the import- 

 ance of fossil remains as the only sure guide in all enquiries connected 

 with the subject of Geology, whether theoretical, or practical. The 

 retrograde movement recently made in the Asiatic Society of Calcutta 

 in the Patronage of ( Economic Geology' is therefore much to be re- 

 gretted, however we may be disposed to acknowledge the importance 

 to engineers and architects of the art of selecting materials ; but to call 

 this * Geology,' and to pretend that it is capable of facilitating our 

 knowledge of the productions of a country, is to say the least of it, 

 erroneous. 



