The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12
THE CURE ASON.
Lectures on Geology.


Or Anse delivered the second lecture Of his course
on geology last evening, in Clinton Hall before
and intelligent audience, The subject Ths
ca,bonifersus Period of the Globe-the Nature AMI
Origin of Coal.n
The Doctor commenced by observing that it was i'm
possible within the space of four lectures present any
thigg like correct and ample view Of the present posi-
ton OF geological science These lectures had for their
object rather to stimulate than to g-sy curiosity; and
the periods comprised within tn. four lectures to which
the limited selected DO. because they
hsd any immediate Eterconnecon; bu. rather that By
the contrast which they afforded panoramic sketches OF
former woTla were presented and tbs mind Of TIE
hsare- dwes with more satisfaction upon ieT epochs
the Characteristic life Il which clearly placed before
MIN rather than IN oordented summary of progressive
IhsERsf and repeated Developments Of species In
The ast lecture tie primitive condition Of the globe
pcutrsTtd-its passage from chaotic mixture Of lard
and water, WITH lazy and probably more elevated
atmosphere TO condition il Fhich the laud hSd risen
70 contidsrabe elevation above tie water level pro-
duciTg thus greater depths Of ocean ind the
fu Influences yTts6 by water ia motion. At the cloIe
Of that period, life diEned the creation; and IL
almost impossible sag whether tn frat CT life
beIor ged to the animal Of vegetas Kingdom The total
life bcwever, nstiIc. nsither the earth the
racsphere appealing 70 posses the conditions peces.
sary to ,urpor. lie The chic. inbabitant, Of the
tts close OF the si!urisr period, thct in wbsh
The New York sJr;eIn Of rocks dePos.ed Fishes
commenced TO appear. differing 10 organization from
those which inhabit seas At the present time
quite ner creation wss presentes totally disRct from
the preceding and separated from |. By long and well
marked interval OF time IN which were deposited by
what Il termed shore action those thick ard extensive
beds Of reddish grit commonly known as the Oldest
3stone and Whose remarkable organic development
was. in the abundance Of fishes. This rock of whi,h
many of city churches built con,tituted the
gr,at mass Of the Cstski Nom and was abundant
On the Pennsylvania and New York borders. Over.
lying these. We're forrd Of limestone rock Of
great thickness very tossifrous snd mpregrated with
than $50 yards including teds Of sandstone and
shale accompanying the finest Above these, laid
other beds Of sandstone and .hse with immense de-
posts OF COAL and lsyers ofronstone irreguarly strait
TED to which might be added deposits or fresh
limestone The depth q those approached LOCO yards,
the latter series had received tie Of coal measures
aod the former that Of mountain limestone; and both
formations bad received hs tit!e Of caTbonferous from
their cor tainir much vegetable matter the remains
Of the ors Of that EPOCH In fact duriug the period
under consideration, tvs features pre.ec.ed,
predominant enc being the production Of terrestrial
vegetation the other the formation Of e5tsnTe beds Of
limestone under the see BY tie agency Of the coral
animal, Dr. antiss here described the formation Of
ton the ect ~ elaborae drawings and alluded 20
he different conditions e the s,obc ~ to temperature
eyeslcea oy the presence q c2T-lue @st.ne even in
rsia Gtitudas While the n-essat growth x coral
,oannei 20 70, tIoPcs' Soal vas generally found In
beds having thsht curYe md hoee were on that &C.
count generally termed coal basns Many beds ba-
ems ROW distinct might have BEEN deposited eoutemro
aneeu'y over large g7es, SUI since their deposition
Lad bgsn iaaeu sLd altered ~ upheaya sad volcanic
sctior. lie extent q To OHIO Iioo, Michigan Nir-
gina ana Pennsylvania cca Laeu. were pointed on. IN
The diagrams with tue dill rent chcrsc.eris.ic, which
peculsrze It's coal feds 81 this oouary AID thore ~
Europe The position w1e. tie searis * coal occupied
aud tie m1s55 au6 randy beds whica Immediately sur
gouDJ the coat anG which contained leaves Of ferns
sul other Ike fisus with be custsd truuks of forest
tees, were then descsilcd Tie Fteat depth 81
coal beds wa pointed cut-th1t near Bctingcn btrg
- feet below the sea lsvc IRE tfases or vegetation
iopD5 we're hose q plants belonging to the eyn tribe;
ALSO grsstes yuee1lke ia9scds plants ADD pem' With
lues and zaniss II a foUr huuitcd fpecoi. The
varied apPeSroree Of those p!in. vas illustrated By
cravings end specimens T. whcn lhe lecturer referred
Ntp "a gt III