The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-25
(wRIrTEH FOR TIE ABREvILLE BANNER.)
G. EOLOGY. NO. 7.

q T. o o G Y N .. 7.
Were the rocks embraced in the different
classes always found in the precise order
in which we have named them, there would
be no difficulty whatever; the few "fcecv
Clouds that now obscure the subject would
be driven away, and all would be as clear
as the noon-day sun. AS we'll nigh, a
man attempt :o blow out that orb, as to
overthrow the theory upon which this splen,
did supcrstructurc is based. But this
is not so. In some instances the order
OF things is somewhat subvcrted AS
general rule, however, tho different classes
are invariably di<tinct-primitivc, transi-
ton. and secondary countries have their
definite lines of dcmarlation. The confu-
sion arises more from the. displacement of
the rocks acithim each class, than from any
arrangement of the classes. For instance,
sometimes we find Granite, the first rock
i'll order in the primitive class, on the sur
face, and Granular lime rock the last rock
ofthe class, at the bottom, some times the
whole series Of the rocks embraced in the
class, arc resting on their edges, or varying
from perpendicular to an angle Of 80 de-
grees, then they will present an aggregated
confused mass, and again they will seem to
dip beneath the level Of the ocean ITSELF
and then mount $ immeasureably high as
if TO vie with the very arch of Heaven
All ofthis is accounted for on the principle
of some internal secondary cause, as for in
stance, volcanoes, earthquakes and the like.
Some times mountains have been thrown up
from the "vasty deep" leaving upon the
top Of some Of the highest in many sections
of country, shells, and other marine sub
stances imbedded in the rocks in perfect
state of petrifaction. The appearance of
newly formed Islands, is accounted for on the
same principle, with the exception of those
made up of cora lines.
Earthquakes, though often the result of
volcanic action, may be produced by other
means. Some Of the Gases are spontane-
ously infiammable, whilst others require the
application Of heat to infame them.
Phosphuretted hydrogen, is an example of
the first, whilst Carburetted hydrogen, and
pure Hydrogen arc examples of the last
These Classes are doubtless accumulated in
great quantities in deep seated caves-the
great natural cavities of the earth; and
when thus collected they either infame
spontaneously, or ale set on fire by volca-
mic heat, or perhaps by q current of electric
fluid, and the consequence is that all of the
superintendent matter is set In motion with
a tremendous shock, and mountains, hills,
and Islands spring into existence in an in
stant. In this way whole cities are often
destroyed in "moment of an hour" Is
any one sceptical upon this subject2 man
has the wisdom to generate these gases,
: and surely the ALMIGHTY the GoD of man,
{ possesses at least an equal amount of WIS
dom. Man, when he charges his Bell
glass" with these gasses has the wisdom to
sinflame them, and surely the great COP
55sthe controller of mans wisd ON, has the pow
Ger todirect a current Of electric fluid, OF; a
3 stream Of melted Lava IN the direetion sof
1 these s pent up gasses, and the conse-
auence is that the earth qpakes under the
dreadful ssl q explosion, and all Of the direful