EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
473 
origin—can be compared ^Yit]l them. Six thousand of 
tlieir exquisitely formed sliells have been counted in a 
single ounce of sand, taken at random from the shores of 
the Adriatic Sea; and in a similar quantity collected in the 
Antilles M. d’Orbigny calculates that there were not fewer 
than 3,800,000 of this prolific class of animals. Yet the 
progressive accumulations of these tiny shells form banks in 
the sea that become 'dangerous to the navigator, fill up ports 
and harbours, obstruct gulfs and straits, and assist, in con¬ 
junction with the corals and madrepores, in building \q) 
those reefs and islands which are continually making their 
appearance in the tropical regions of the ocean. Mr. Jones 
adds that it would be easy to prove that these microscopic 
organisms materially afiect the geological structure of our 
planet. A single species has formed, in Russia, deposits of 
enormous thickness. The entire mass of the cretaceous 
system is crowded with their remains. They make up 
the limestones of which the largest Egyptian pyramids are 
constructed. They are met with in countless numbers 
throughout the tertiary strata of France, Asia, and Africa, 
and nowhere are they more numerous than in the calcareous 
deposits of the vast Parisian basin. 
Surely in this alone demonstrative proof is given of the 
benefits resulting from united labour; not to adduce others, 
which would be easv, since in nature we see that all things 
co-operate for the general good. The integrity of the 
universe, too, is maintained by it. Incessant motion and 
incessant change are taking place, yet there is no confusion, 
no discord, no loss. Each reciprocates the other, and 
supplies the individual wants of each; for all are but parts 
of one stupendous whole. 
Knowledge has been aptly compared to light; and this, 
as if to show to man its importance and its worth, was 
formed by the Creator on the first day, and only it. Con¬ 
ceive, if the mind be capable of realising opposites so great, 
what must have been the mighty difference when “ the 
earth being without form and void, and darkness upon the 
face of the deep,^^ that Chaos heard the command— 
“ Silence ! yc troubled Waves ! and thou, Peep, peace!” 
