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THE GEOLOGIST. 



loss to discover. I remember that exactly tlie same kind of argument was used by- 

 Sir C. Lyell (" Principles," 3rd edition), to produce just an opposite result, namely, 

 to prove the theory that all the great classes of organic Ufe were created at once ; 

 and not successively, as inferred from geology- How would Mr. Hutton reconcile 

 these opposite conclusions drawn from the same facts ? Or does he expect his 

 theory to be better received than Sir Charles' ? In conclusion I assert that, 

 while other considerations may be either for or against this theory, geology alone 

 must decide it. By the supposed slowness of the operations of the assumed law 

 it is thrown entirely beyond the scope of observation, and unless actual facts — 

 facts conclusive and undeniable — can be cited out of the stony records, it must 

 still be considered the mere speculation of a theorist. — Yours, &c, Thos. Grindley, 

 Glossop. 



Note by the Editok.— We are sorry that our correspondent should express regret at the 

 appearance of Lieut. Hutton's article on the Darwinian Theory in the " Geologist." Our 

 readers will doubtless bear in mind what our correspondent has forgotten in this remark, that 

 whenever an article bears the name of its author, we are not responsible either for its facts or 

 its arguments. Our pages are alike open to Mr. GrindleY or Lieut. Hutton — to one cor- 

 respondent equally with another ; and on this point we have always justly prided ourselves 

 on our fair dealing ; we ha^e printed the labouring man's communication beside that of the 

 most talented geologist ; we have printed even communications against ourselves. Darwin's 

 theory undoubtedly has a most important bearing on geology, and if not wholly accepted, 

 still contains views which must exert a powerful influence on all future investigations. 



Granting it to be an error, we would still wish to see it powerfully treated and defended by 

 the ablest hands ; for the more powerful the defence of an error, the stronger and mightier the 

 intellect that wields the weapons of its defence, so much the more brilliant will be the victory 

 of Truth in the end. We can not have discussions without the defence of error, and without 

 discussions there wordd be no progress. 



In concluding this note, the Editor wishes distinctly to say that he does not consider him- 

 self as in any way advocating doctrines contained in any articles excepting in those which 

 are written by himself. On the other hand, he considers the magazine to be, and always to 

 have been, open to the fair expression of any opinion deserving of attention. Moreover, he 

 trusts that friendly discussion and correspondence will be more developed in this magazine 

 than even it has hitherto been. 



FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. 



Specimens of minerals have been sent from Chili by M. Domeyho, for 

 the School of Mines in Paris. 1. Black copper-ore, fibrous, (a 

 silico-aluminate), brought from the mines of Taltat, in the desert of 

 Atacama. 2. Arseniate of copper from the Gerro of las Yeguas, in 

 the district of Rancagua. 3. Arseniate of copper, with sub-oxide 

 from the same locality. 4. Two specimens, arseniate of silver, with 

 antimony from Chauarcillo (one washed in a tube, the other in its 

 original state). 5. Arsenical silver-ore from the mines of Bandurrias. 

 G. Bi-arseniate of nickel, mixed with arsenical acid, and sub-arseniate 

 of nickel, brought from the mines of San Pedro, situated a few 

 leagues from the port of San Framenco, in the desert of Atacama. 

 7. Arseniate of nickel, a little hydrated, mixed with a silico aluminate 

 of nickel from the same locality as the preceeding one. 8. Fragment 

 of an aeorolite which fell in 1857, in the environs of Hevedia at Costa- 

 rica. 



