geological enquiry. 35 
a ei, and of the various changes through 
it has advanced, from the creation of its 
mponent elements to its actual condition ; the 
econ , embracing the past history of the animal 
vegetable kingdoms, and the successive 
1 1 cations which these two great departments 
nature have undergone, during the chemical 
mechanical operations that have affected 
e surface of our planet. As the study of both 
ese branches forms the subject of the science 
theology. It is no less important to examine 
he nature and action of the physical forces, 
lat have affected unorganized mineral bodies, 
^ an to investigate the laws of life, and varied 
conditions of organization, that prevailed while 
process of for- 
anh«!r T ™ •'“'“'■y of fossil 
bripfl * '"ogotables, we must therefore first 
forma^i progressive stages of mineral 
in th discover 
arrangemeM ‘of mechanical 
proofil f ^ materials of the earth, 
econom^ general prospective adaptation to the 
economy ol animal and vegetable Iffe. 
of creat: Ptnnet is concerned, the first act 
e»’»gin to^^th consisted in giving 
Thesp • ^ ^ ements of the material world, 
ceived elements appear to have re- 
sequent addition to their number. 
