60 
THE GEOLOGIST. 
THE COMMON FOSSILS OF THE ERITISH ROCKS. 
By S. J. Mackie, Esq., F.G.S., F.S.A., &c., &c. 
CHAPTEK I. 
The nature of Fossils and their value. 
( Continued from page 2D.) 
MoBE things remain to bo 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. 
Ligu 9. — Ammonites varians, from the chalk marl of Dover, distorted by pressnre. 
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 came. Everything connected with fossils is of high interest ; 
but from first to last the value of fossils is in their teachings ; and it 
is never by pounds, shillings, and pence that we can value them at all. 
In such 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. Properly studied, however, they con- 
vey their lessons of the past; and when regarded as letters in the vast and 
