Ch. XXIV.] 
OP MOUNTAIN-CHAINS. 
recurrence of the same, or nearly the same, directions of 
elevation 
Here then we have three systems of mountains, A, B, C, 
which were formed at successive epochs, and have each a dif- 
ferent direction ; and we have three other systems, D, E, F, 
which, although they are assumed to have the same strike, as the 
series first mentioned (D corresponding with A, E with B, and 
F with C), are nevertheless declared to have been formed at 
different periods. On what principle, then, is the age of an 
Indian or transatlantic chain referred to one of these European 
lines rather than another? why is the age of the Alleghanies, or 
the ghauts of Malabar, determined by their parallelism to B 
rather than to E, to the Pyrenees rather than to the Ballons of 
the Vosges ? 
The substance of the last objection has been anticipated 
by M. Bouef, who, at the same time, disputes the accuracy of 
many of the facts appealed to by M. de Beaumont. Other 
errors in fact have also been pointed out by MM. Keferstein, 
Von Dechen, and De la Bechej. But the incorrectness of some 
of these data might not have affected the validity of the gene- 
ral theory if it had been founded on a solid basis. In regard 
to the Alps, MM. JNecker and Studer have informed me, that 
on re-examining that chain since de Beaumont's memoirs were 
published, they have been unable to reconcile the phenomena 
there exhibited with his views relating to the strike and dip of 
that great chain. 
Professor Sedgwick has declared his adhesion to the opinions 
of de Beaumont ; but we are not aware that he had maturely 
considered them in all their bearings ; and he has stated some 
important objections to the doctrine of « parallelism Among 
others, he has remarked, that in consequence of the spheroidal 
figure of the earth, different mountain-chains, running north and 
* Phil. Mag. and Annals, No. 58, new series, pp. 255, 256, 
f Journ. de Geologie, tome iii. p. 338. 
% Geol. Manual, p. 501, and Second Edition, p. 519. 
§ Auniv. Address to the Geol. Soc, Feb., 1831. 
