i 
152 
Granite three 
formation^. 
Transition 
rocks ; less 
crystalline ; 
contain simple 
organized bo- 
dies ; and me- 
chanically di- 
vided matter, 
Floetz forma- 
tions contain 
compound or- 
WBRNERIAN SYSTEM. 
nite, are placed above the rest in masses “ unconformable and 
overlying.” 
Of the primitive, rocks, granite is the most important, and 
of that compound three formations are said to have been ascer- 
tained. The first or oldest of these is placed decidedly below 
all other rocks, the second occurs only in veins in the first for- 
mation “ that traverse the oldest granite, but never reach 
any of the newer rocks and the third ” appears to be amongst 
the newest of the primitive rocks, always resting on some of 
the older, and usually in an unconformable and overlying posi- 
tion. It sometimes, also, (continues Mr. Jameson) occurs in 
veins that shoot from the rock, (a phrase not easily understood) 
or in veins that are not connected with any rock beyond the 
strata which they traverse.” This third formation affords the 
mode in which the Wernerians explain the existence of 
those granatic veins, apparently connected with subjacent 
masses of granite that occur in certain schistose rocks, and 
which are still the object of much interesting inquiry and de- 
bate. 
Next in order above the primitive rocks occurs a series of 
formations, in some respects resembling them, of which grey- 
wacke, grey wacke slate, and limestone are the most remark- 
able, the last-mentioned substance not having appeared before 
in any considerable quantity. The separation of this series 
from the rocks of the primitive class, with the newest of which 
I 
they had been confounded. Is due to Werner, who has found- 
ed his distinction on their exhibiting much less of a crystalline 
structure, their containing organic reqiains, and the occurrence 
in their composition of mechanically divided matter. The re- 
mains of organized bodies, however, are found in them in very 
inconsiderable quantity, and are confined to tho.ee of beings of 
the lowest order j from which circumstance Werner infers, 
that the period of their formation was that during which the 
earth was passing from its " chaotic to its habitable state j” and 
he has accordingly denominated them “ transition rocks." 
In the formations which follow those last mentioned, the 
remains of organized beings occur in progressively increasing 
quantity. 
