DAVIS : PEO. PHILLIPS. 
13 
well-preserved Jac-simile, in all probability composed of the same 
material as the surrounding masses of shale. The structure which 
characterized the objects when living is retained with exquisite 
perfection, and the highest powers of the microscope only serve to 
expose the infinite exactness of this mineral reproduction. These 
are the facts: the inferences to be drawn from them are many. They 
call into operation a wonderful play of the highest powers of the 
human mind. All kinds of collateral sciences are brought to bear 
in the elucidation of the problems suggested by these facts. 
Zoology, by comparison with existing forms, enables us to ascertain, 
with more or less correctness, the nature and habits of the fossil 
fish, the shape and character of its teeth, its covering of dermal 
armature and the presence or absence of external means of offence, 
thus affording data on which may be based assumptions as to the 
character of its food and the necessity or otherwise for protection 
against powerful foes. The changes undergone by the fossil since 
it first sank to the mud at the bottom of the water, call in the aid 
of chemistry and mineralogy. Possibly the structure of the fish 
may give valuable insight into its habitat when living, as to 
whether it was a denizen of salt, estuarine, or fresh water, and thus, 
much knowledge may be gained as to the physical geography of the 
land and sea, and the method of aggregation of the strata deposited 
during that period of the world's history. A similar course of 
reasoning may also be applied to the fossil shell or plant. 
The great accumulation of geological and palseontological facts, 
led a few years later on, to a number of theoretical generalizations 
which exercised the greatest scientific minds of this or probably 
any previous age. The stratagraphical knowledge accumulated by 
William Smith and his followers not only laid the foundation for 
geological science in this country, but the influence of their labours 
spread over a great part of the civilized world, the methods of research 
and the nomenclature used by British geologists having been adopt- 
ed in every other country as a foundation whereon to base local and 
minor designations, Philosophers speedily collated their knowledge 
