4.50 
THE GEOLOCilST. 
into it, I am awavc that gneiss and other metamorpliic rocks unite a crystalline 
structure ■\vitli stratilication, and tlius somewliat resemble llujse of purely 
ignetnis agency ; but my language a])])lied to rocks of a |)urcly a((ueous origin, 
so that we agree on this point. It is not well in making a few general observa- 
tions u])on any science to encumber oneself with minor cousidt raticms, neverthe- 
less the mctamori)hic rock coiikl hardly \n: urged as an objection to what I have 
said, inasnmch as the gradual amalgamation you have spoken of could not be 
fairly construed into dipping. In speaking of granite I must include the 
various species of this substance. If 1 am supposed to err in calling it the 
oldest rock, I shall lie obliged if any ])erson will oiTer some reason for rejectiug 
this o])iniou ; when, both as regards this and every sentiment I have olfered, 1 
shall, if convinced of the falsity of them, be the first to own it. 
You inform me that my remarks on the time requisite for the formation of 
strata, prior to historical limes, arc more illogical than the deductions of the 
geologists I refer to; but 1 think I can show that this is not the case. If I 
supposed that my argument had no better foundation than you appear to dis- 
cover about it I sliould indeed have kept it to myself. I absolutely deny that 
I have shnj)ly denied the truth of the notion contested: there is a substantia 
reason for supposing that the earth was formed in a short space of time, ajiart 
from geological considerations ; and until geologists prove that the peculiar 
appearances connected with strata formed prior to historical times cannot be 
explained without the supposition of the formation having extended over a vast 
period of time, I cannot assent to the truth of their hypothesis. You perceive 
I have assumed that these rocks present featiires which arc not found m those 
of a later date which have been formed gradually ; nevertheless, I confess that 
I have never been enabled to discover in what the peculiarities consist, and 
should, therefore, be glad to learn M'hat they are, if any exist. If these ancient 
rocks ])reseut a diifcrent character to those more recently and far more slowly 
fonned, for once adopting an hypothesis as true, it only proves tliat their mode 
of formation nnist have been very different, and that it nuust have been very 
rapid, because that of later rocks has been slow. Consequently, if any sucli 
peculiarities exist, they only prove the ojiposite of what geologists at present 
profess to di-aw from them. If many geologists have not considered this, I 
wonder at it. If the peculiarities of character alluded to really exist, they 
certainly must prove that the I'ornuition of the rocks cannot have been simdar ; 
and, as we know that recent rocks, using this term in its geological sense, have 
been slowly deposited, they prove that the earlier ones must nave been very 
rapidlv formed. It may be thought that they would prove that these rocks 
were deposited far slower than the others, or that this supposition is as likely 
as the other ; but many considerations show that this hypotliesis lacks consis- 
tency. I doubt, however, that such peculiarities exist, or any, if any can be 
found, which cannot be explained by the age of the strata they characterize. 
My reference to the Mosaic record, so far from being illogical or unpliiloso- 
pliical, api)ears to me to constitute a sound proceeding. Trom that account I 
gather some reason, if I was sure that I luulerstood it as it is intended to be 
understood, I should say u-rcsistible reason for supposing that the earth was 
created in a short s]iace of time. Geologists inform us tliat this was not the 
case, and surely I am not illogical in demanding a satisfactory reason for their 
opinion, before ac(|uiescing in it. It is often said that the two records, nature 
and revelation, slio\dd not be confused together ; but, wliile agreeing with this, 
as regards scientific investigation in general, I nuuutain that the obvious mean- 
ing of Scripture should not be considered figurative, be "ore science has fully 
proved that truth renders this necessary. In my tJiiid question, which you 
very indefinitely eoudenui, I have given a supposition made use of by Dr. 
Lardiier, wliich appears to nie highly probable. Prom your remarks about the 
