22 werner's theory. 
mineral masses of which the crust of the earth is composed, are 
not distributed at random, but placed one above another in a 
certain order of succession, and that mineral veins and beds occur 
in some kinds of rock and are wanting in others ; he was led to 
speculate respecting the causes by which they had been produced, 
and to the formation of a Theory of the Earth. He published 
but little. His doctrines were communicated in his lectures, 
delivered at Freyburg, to students collected from all parts of 
Europe. These lectures* were written out by the most approved 
members of his classes, and revised by himself, so that we have 
accurate information respecting his opinions. 
It is regarded as a decisive proof of the ability and merit of 
Socrates, that he was able to inspire two such men as Plato and 
Xenophon, with an attachment to his person, and a respect for 
his character and opinions, which led them to devote a considera- 
ble portion of their lives to the task of recording the most strik- 
ing incidents in his history, and illustrating his doctrines. A 
corresponding evidence of transcendent genius, is furnished by 
the influence exerted by Werner over the minds of his pupils. 
What was most remarkable in himself, was an energetic determi- 
nation oi all his powers, to the advancement of the kindred sci- 
ences of Mineralogy and Geology, and he inspired them with 
more than his own enthusiasm. They ransacked the continent of 
Europe for illustrations of his theories and proofs of their truth 
and correctness, and his doctrines were propagated by writings 
and lectures throughout the civilized world. Since his death, 
more extensive and accurate observations have made us better 
acquainted with the crust of the earth, and his principles are one 
by one abandoned. He fell into the error of the early philoso- 
phers, of generalizing from too narrow an induction of particulars, 
and fondly believed the little mountains of Saxony, to present a 
type of the world. Nor is this all. It is now ascertained that 
he either failed to notice, or misinterpreted, many important ap- 
pearances, even in the immediate neighborhood of Freyburg. — 
Yet in every course of Geological lectures, the name of Werner 
must he mentioned with respect, and his theories unfolded. The 
subject is brought forward in this place, because some of the terms 
introduced by him into the science appear in the following ac- 
count of the rock formations, and his general scheme of arrange- 
ment is adopted. 
WERNER'S THEORY. 
14. — 1. Primitive Bocks. — Werner taught that in the begin- 
ning, what are now the solid materials of the globe, were dissolv- 
ed in the waters of the ocean, so that the whole earth was a cha- 
otic, fluid, or semifluid mass. In this, an attractive energy of par- 
ticle for particle was presently exerted; crystallization commenced, 
and immense bodies of rock were immediately consolidated, form- 
