60 



TEE GEOLOGIST. 



THE COMMOI^ FOSSILS OF THE ERITISH EOCKS. 

 By S. J. Mackie, Esa., E.G.S., E.S.A., &c,, &c. 



CHAPTEK I. 



The nature of Fossils and their value. 



(Continued from page 29.) 



MoEE things remain to be spoken of fossils ; wonders of skill to be pre- 

 sented in their construction and design ; marvels of mechanical devices 

 for progression, for strength, for lightness, or for protection to be dis- 

 played ; and consummate wisdom and benevolent forethought to be 

 exhibited in their adaptation to the various purposes for which they 

 were created — in fact, as much as we find to admire or to consider in the 

 structure of existing animals or plants, in their means of developement 

 or of growth, in the influences of climate and seasons upon them, so 

 much also do we find for equal admiration and reflection in those 

 ancient " medals of past creations. 



Even contorted and damaged fossils are not without their evidences. 



I-ipn 9.— Ammonites rarians, from the ehalk marl of Dover, distorted by pressure. 



{squeezed on either side or flattened, they do not merely ndicate the 

 pressure to which they have been subjected, but the direction also from 

 which it cnmc. Everything connected with fossils is of high interest ; 

 but from first to last the value of fossils is in their teachings ; and it 

 IB never by pounds, shillings, and pence that we can value them at all. 

 In hiu-h a light they are but worthless bits of stone, as fit to mend the 

 roads as to be saved. To minds that esteem them thus, they are no 

 treasures, but merely merchandise. Tropcrly studied, however, they con- 

 vey tlieir lessons of the past; and when regarded as letters in the vast and 



