THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XIV, No. 158.] FEBRUARY 1841. [New Series, No. 98. 
THE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
By Mr. W. F. Karkeek, V.S., Truro. 
[Concluded from page 31.] 
Mr. SAULL’s elucidations proceed regularly from a fundamental 
principle as a basis, that the granite is the most ancient stratum, for 
on this all the other beds are successively deposited ; and he is 
confirmed in this opinion by observations made in different parts 
of the earth, which tend to prove that such is the case, for not only 
in both Americas, but specimens have recently been brought from 
Australia, which exactly resemble the granites found in Devon- 
shire, in Scotland, &c. &c. 
Having established a basis, he then proceeds to chemical ana- 
lysis, which proves that this rock is composed of quartz, mica, and 
felspar, in the latter of which only is contained a small quantity of 
calcareous matter, probably not more than two or three per cent.; 
but that this is the germ, as it were of production, of the shell, the 
fibre, and, ultimately, the bone, flesh, and food, so necessary for 
the support of organized beings when they come to be developed on 
the surface of our planet. 
He then arrives at this conclusion, — that, by the action of water 
and the atmosphere, this hard substance is pulverized and decom- 
posed, and in that state — when the circumstances are favourable, 
viz., under a tropical climate, and also saline waters — corallines 
would germinate from the root or basis beforementioned : these 
being reduced to powder by the action of the element in which they 
grew, would, in their turn, reproduce more, and thus the fertilizing 
principle would continue progressing ; and so it is found on analyza- 
tion of all the primary rocks, which exhibit a gradual increase 
of this necessary material in the ascending order. 
Now, as this material is found to germinate spontaneously, as it 
were, in hot climates only, the author deduces some original con- 
clusions, which are of great value and importance, with reference 
to the effects on our planet. 
1st. That matter and motion are universal, and that nothing 
whatever can be completely passive or at rest. 
VOL. XIV. K 
