fossilized animals in other localities, but under corresponding circumstances, and of the trees in the Glasgow quarries and Newcastle coal-fields which are similar to others now flourishing in the country around, and of "nuts indigenous to Hindostan and China, that are found in the great repository of coal near Cologne". It is worthy of farther remark, also, that there are many parallel examples where theoretical geology has isolated a perplexing fact, as in the case of "wood-coal," from its natural connections, and erected it into a system by itself. One of the latest of these examples occurs in a popular enunciation of the existence of man at a remote geological era, because an individual was found at New Orleans in a fossil state beneath other petrifactions whose geological date runs back into almost countless ages. From some special calculations unknown to us, a distinguished naturalist refers the catastrophe which buried this individual to the year 160,000 before the reputed creation of Adam. We will say, however, for the benefit of those who may desire our opinion on this matter, that we suppose the individual in question belonged to the Mexican tribe, and that he was imbedded beneath a mass of trees which had probably been overturned by an influx of the ocean like that which we have seen to have happened at Cadiz on the event of the earthquake of 1755, though it is not material as to the particular cause. A dozen years, it is now well known, is sufficient to have fossilized both man and trees. A few years since, "a coffin was disinterred at Quebec, containing the body of a Mrs. Morrison, who died twenty years before, perfectly converted into stone." And yet it is possible that the same naturalist, in his multiplication of the original progenitors of the human race, may yet show us that our supposed Mexican Indian belonged to a species of the genus homo that became "extinct" at the foregoing geological era.

In the same manner in which we have endeavored to expound the general absence of land-animals from the coal-formations, we may say that their comparative rarity explains, in part, their absence from the supposed lowest fossiliferous rocks; while their specific gravity would have floated them upon water, where they would have speedily undergone decomposition, or as they might have perished upon land. Subsequently, more local

causes overpowered them in some rare spots of the earth, and entombed them in the now consolidated drift. Finally came the general deluge, whose nature was such that it would have buried in the superficial drift a greater number of quadrupeds, the least perishable of whom, especially the bones of those of an elephantine size, would be likely to have escaped entire decomposition to the present day. Such is the fact, and surrounded by circumstances in perfect opposition to the doctrine of "extinctions and re-creations". "The skeletons", as we read, "of terrestrial quadrupeds and other mammalia, are found almost universally diffused over the surface of the globe, imbedded in diluvial clay or gravel, and insinuated into caves and fissures of rocks. These animals consist of extinct species and genera mingled with several species at present in existence. The remains of the mammoth, hyena, rhinoceros, and other animals of a warm climate, strew the plains of the temperate and frigid regions, as well as those of the torrid zone; while those of the hippopotamus, an animal at present confined to the rivers of Africa, are found in Europe and India, and marsupial animals, now only found in New Holland and South America, are recognized among the fossils of Europe. This diluvial matter, more or less charged with relics of terrestrial animals, is found in every region strewed over the uppermost stratum, of whatever series that stratum may be."

We have already seen that it is conceded by the eminent in theoretical geology, that no dependence can be placed upon the "medals" supplied by shells in determining whether they belonged to species now extinct or to such as are still in being; and in this will have been seen the fallaciousness of the geological ages. But, that numerous species and even genera of plants were extinguished by the general deluge is little to be doubted; while a multitude of others, which were not flourishing at the time of the flood, have subsequently sprung into being, though not into the spontaneous being of theoretical geology. Nothing is more familiar to our observation than that, when a forest has been felled, burnt over, and neglected, it is succeeded by other trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, entirely different from the preceding; and although there is not a new species among them, many of each variety may not be

found within a distance of fifty or a hundred miles. The seeds of these plants had descended from an ancient stock, and had been safely entombed in the earth probably for centuries. Nature may be sometimes detected in this act of preservation. There is, for example, upon the well-known farm of Robert L. Pell, Esq., upon the shore of the Hudson River, a deep accumulation of the polygonum persicaria in a state of entire decomposition, with the exception of its seeds. It is down in swampy land, at the base of a hill, and abounds with visible seeds many feet beneath the surface in perfect preservation. This deposit supplies a rich manure, and yields a luxuriant crop of the plant wherever it may be strewed upon the farm. Such was as much the order of nature before the flood as now. That catastrophe doubtless put an end to a large variety of plants, just as our clearings partially do; only, the flood being universal, the "extinction" of many plants would have been the probable consequence. But then, as now, the seeds of other plants entombed in the earth vegetated, flourished on, and have come down to us as the predecessors of those plants which fell a wreck to the general deluge. Theoretieal geology gains nothing, therefore, from this kind of "medals" which have hitherto borne an important part in its arrangement of the fossiliferous rocks, its high tropical temperature in northern regions, its carbonaceous atmosphere, and its doctrine of spontaneity of being.

Take, then, "the medals" as we find them; give to them that natural import which is stamped upon all their living prototypes, or their exact analogies-each and all come to the rescue of the most fundamental laws of nature, of the greatest and best established principles in science, and to the defense of that Revelation which needs the protection of man only for the sake of his own dignity, his moral worth, his duty to a Beneficent Creator, and as a manifestation of gratitude for the revelation of what he was, and is, and is to be, and of the origin of that nature by which he is surrounded, which was created for his uses and enjoyment, and through which he might contemplate the Infinite Wisdom and Goodness of its Author.

We have now seen a variety of "enigmas" attendant upon the coal-formations, any one of which would establish the ne

cessity of the general deluge; and their united force supplies a greater amount of proof than can probably be brought to any other subject where a single cause has given rise to all the phenomena. We have also seen, in our general survey of theoretical geology, that, from beginning to end, it presents an unmitigated series of the most improbable assumptions, without any natural relation, but distinguished by great incongruity, generally in opposition to its own facts, opposed to the laws of nature, abounding with miraculous events, and, we need not add, subversive of Revelation.

On the contrary, we claim for our interpretation of the Mosaic Narrative of Creation an irrefutable demonstration, and equally so for every other subject which has come under our analysis, and that there has been no violation of facts, none, of the laws of nature, unless coerced by the facts and by fundamental principles to admit the coöperation of Creative Power, and then in wonderful harmony with the natural operation of the properties and laws impressed upon the Creator's works, and, finally, that our whole interpretation is confirmed by harmony and consistency throughout. Such is our opinion; and in it we must rest until we are proved to be as much mistaken as we believe theoretical geology to be. It is also our opinion, that the coal-formations, by establishing the occurrence of the general deluge, will do more for the triumph of the Bible than any other event that has occurred upon earth, excepting the introduction of Christianity; and that, next to those will be the influence of the Philosophy impressed upon the Mosaic Narrative of Creation.

Finally; we entered upon this task of reducing a voluminous mass of manuscripts to a small compass, less than two months ago, and while actively engaged in affairs appertaining to our profession, and with imperfect health. It may, therefore, be more open to objection than we imagine. We entered upon it, also, with great reluctance, in consideration of our often avowed belief that the times are inauspicious for carrying out our former purpose, and have now undertaken it only at the spcial request of some distinguished friends.

We have intended nothing in unkindness, and have felt deeply the responsibility of our undertaking, not only on account

of the vastness and intricacy of our subjects, but from the consciousness of occupying a very solitary position; nor have we any expectation of more indulgence from our opponents than we have extended to them. Their doctrines, however, and in no respect themselves, have been our subjects of criticism; and if we shall have failed in our efforts, there will be the consolation left that we have had no other motive to gratify than to vindicate the truth of Revelation.

Errata.-Page 165, line 10 from bottom, for This read The latter. at page 186 should be 12,600,000,000,000,000.

The figures

ARTICLE II.

Hippolytus and his Age; or, the Doctrine and Practice of the Church of Rome under Commodus and Alexander Severus; and Ancient and Modern Christianity and Divinity compared. By CHRISTIAN CHARLES JOSIAS BUNSEN, D.C.L. 4 vols. London. 1852.

Ar the first appearance of this important work in England, we expressed our deep sense of its interest and value. More careful examination has not changed our impression in these respects, and we shall proceed to redeem the promise of making our readers better acquainted with the object, nature, and results of Chevalier Bunsen's labors, in a department so congenial to his tastes and acquirements.

It is not in Great Britain only, but likewise in America, the able reviewer of Hippolytus will be claimed by many as an old acquaintance. His labors and brilliant critical successes in the Ignatian controversy, his "Church of the Future," his friendship with Dr. Arnold and Archdeacon Hare, had all contributed to render his name familiar to our divines. And there were many who were observing from these western shores with deep interest the career of one who, an acknow