COLUMNAR TABLE. 66 By means of these signs, M. Humboldt" proposes the principal phenomena "of the position of rocks in the primitive, intermediary, secondary, and tertiary formations, in the annexed series:"and he adds, "as the notation pre"sented may be variously graduated, 66 66 by the manner in which the cha"racters are accentuated; in uniting "them as co-efficients in complex forma 66 tions, or in adding exponents; I doubt "whether the names of the rocks, arranged by series at the side of each other, would address itself as forcibly "to the eye, as the algorithmic nota"tion." To increase the force of the representation, I shall here exhibit the series in a Columnar Table, as it is situated in the globe; and not in the form of an algebraical series, as it is presented by the ingenious author. It will be necessary to apprise the reader; that the series thus presented, is not taken from any particular instance, but is only "proposed" by the author, as the general result of his observations; and therefore, that it is subject to his reserved claim-of "adding what he thinks only probable, to what appears to him completely verified."-" I do not pretend (he says,) that the situation and position "of the rocks in the tabular arrange"ment, has been actually observed in every region of the carth; I only state 66 66 166 "them such as appeared to me the most probable, "after having compared a great number of facts which "I have collected1." It is, therefore, not entirely exempt from the dove-tailing operation of his theory. Never 66 theless, the Columnar Table will not fail to exhibit, “very forcibly to the eye," the FOUR great divisions, diversities, and successions in the disordered edifice of our globe; and to prompt us to scrutinise the general testimony of the historical monuments, before we consent to yield any attention to the details, either of the ingredients composing the several parts, or of the accident of their relative superposition. To " decipher" those great divisions and their diversities truly and intelligently, is an office that pertains exclusively to the " HEBREW," or MOSAICAL GEOLOGY; which, alone, "holds the KEYS" of this sacred ARCANUM. 1 Page 8. 2 See above, p. 8, 10, 11. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. LONDON: PRINTED BY J. MOYES, BOUVERIE STREET. |