The Certainties of Geology

Front matter

THE CERTAINTIES OF GEOLOGY. "Shall it any longer then be said, that a Science which unfolds such abundant evidence of the Being and Attributes of God, can reasonably be viewed in any other light than as the efficient Auxiliary and Handmaid of Religion? Some few there still may be whom timidity, or prejudice, or want of opportunity, allow not to examine its evidence ; who are alarmed by the novelty, or surprised by the extent and magnitude, of the views which Geology forces On their attention ; and who would rather have kept closed the volume of witness, which has been sealed up for ages beneath the surface of the earth, than impose on the student in natural theology the duty of studying its contents ; a duty in which for lack of experience they may anticipate a hazardous or a laborious task, but which, by those engaged in it is found to afford a rational, and righteous, and delightful exercise of their highest faculties, in multiplying the evidences of the Existence, and Attributes, and Providence of God."

Rev. Professor Buckland, D.D. Bridgewater Treatise, p. 594. " The facts of Geology have been scrutinized with the utmost jealousy and rigour; and they stand impregnable ;— their evidence is made brighter by every assault." Rev. Dr. Pye Smith, Relation of Geology and Scripture. THE CERTAINTIES OF GEOLOGY. BY WILLIAM SIDNEY GIBSON, F.G.S. QUOD VERUM TUTUM. LONDON : SMITH, ELDER, & CO. 65, CORNHILL. 1840. LONDON : PKINTfiD BY P. U'HIIK AND SON, Devonshire Square, BUllopaynta. TO THE MOST NOBLE HENRY, MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE, K.G. D.C.L. F.R.S. t. AND E., G.S. M.R.S.L. etc. etc. THE PRESENT ESSAY IS WITH HIS LORDSHIP'S PERMISSION, RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST OBLIGED AND FAITHFUL HUMBLE SERVANT, THE AUTHOR.

Preface

. The following Essay appears at a time when the Science of Geology has fully established its claim to occupy, and does in fact, possess, a most brilliant and remarkable distinction, and commands an increasing de gree of attention and regard ; when the public mind is rapidly opening to the wondrous scenes it presents, and to a sense of the surpassing interest that attaches to its discoveries, and to every thing connected with the geological history of the globe ; when none ought to claim credit for a well informed mind, without possessing a know ledge of at least the subjects and leading results of geolo gical research ; and at a time, moreover, when intellects of the highest order are zealously employed in its cultivation ; and some of the most recondite conclusions and results of science are familiarly added to the common stock of popular information. Of a work written at such a period

PREFACE.

. X of geological science — under such eminent auspices, and highly scientific support, as the author has the honour and good fortune to enjoy on this occasion— of a work written too by a new author on the subject, and by one, moreover, who is a member of the Society to which Geology is known to be so greatly indebted for the elucidation of its inherent merits, and for its present exalted position in the range of natural philosophy, it might fairly be expected that it should promise and afford some original and highly scientific additions to geological information, — additions which should be suited to so ad vanced a state of geological knowledge. At the same time, however, it is to be recollected that treatises, ma nuals, and other institutional works of highly scientific character and well merited reputation, being in the hands of the public ; and the more modern of many of those works well according with the actual state, and faithfully representing the great principles of geological science, much would fairly be expected of the author who. should now venture to add another systematic treatise to such a store of scientific information.

And, therefore, having regard to the different and less assuming character of the present Essay, the Author may be allowed to flatter himself with the hope that its particular object will relieve him from liability to the charge of presumption, in placing it before the public. The richness and diversity of scientific details must not be looked for in the following Essay. Its want of those V

PREFACE.

. XI distinctions — if not excused by the particular objects of the work — will, the author hopes, be thought to be com pensated in his endeavours to enforce, as he has never failed to recognize, the great result to which the pursuits of science, in all " its vast survey," should ever lead, viz. the illustration of the constant superintendence of an Almighty Being, and the constant impress throughout creation of an Almighty Hand, — demonstrated not only through the vast range of existing nature, which it is the province of other sciences to investigate ; but, throughout those mysteriously remote and venerable monuments of primeval ages, which Geology alone possesses the glory of having restored, and of having exhibited, and even rendered familiar to our comprehension, at this immeasurably distant period of time.

The author can only claim credit for the motive which has led to the composition of the following pages ; — for a very enthusiastic admiration of the science of Geology ; — and a sincere desire to see the value and importance of the study, and the validity of its conclusions, unanimously acknowledged, and by all persons justly esteemed and understood ; and for the motive of his present endeavour to extend the growing taste for the cultivation of geological pursuits — to vindicate a science with a conviction of the importance, the useful relations, the interest, and the exalting tendency of which, his own mind is most forcibly impressed, and to contribute, however humbly, in placing

PREFACE.

. does not interpose any bar to the inferences of Geology, or prescribe any limit to the deductions of science. While the attractive department of geological inquiry which relates to fossil organic remains has been so satisfac torily considered with reference to the arguments for Design in Creation, and to the illustration of the Creator's Beneficence and Power as exhibited in these monuments of systems immeasurably anterior to our own, it is to be lamented that the mineralogical structure of the globe has not equally been appealed to for evidences of this exalting kind — evidences of which that vast department of geolo gical inquiry furnishes so inexhaustible, so instructive, and so interesting a source. The Author of the present Essay would gladly have directed his humble endeavours to aid in supplying the deficiency which must be acknowledged to exist in this respect — a deficiency which he fears will be too apparent in his own work; — but his opportunities for gratifying an inherited and deeply implanted taste for natural science, and for cultivating the splendid department of research which forms the subject of the present Essay, are too limited and too few to give him the means of treating those arguments as they deserve.

The subject of the following work has been studied, and its pages have been composed by him, in moments appropriated with zeal, but stolen with difficulty from the severer studies and duties of a profession which of itself calls for almost exclusive devotion — a profession,

PREFACE.

. XIII to advancement in which, the possession of a taste for the ennobling pursuits of science is fortunately no longer a bar ; but in which, nevertheless, the author, as a young student who has his own fortune yet to make, is called on to renounce, for at all events the earlier years of its pursuit, that practical cultivation of the varied and extensive objects of geological inquiry to which his inclinations and his conviction of its importance would otherwise lead. In these circumstances therefore, he hopes that a claim will be presented on his behalf for the indulgent reception to which he respectfully commends this little work. In conclusion, it remains for the author to make an observation which he feels to be necessary, in consequence of the similarity apparent between the recently published work of the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith on the " Relation between the Holy Scriptures and some parts of Geological Science," and the present Essay, in regard to some features of the design, to some of the arguments employed, and to some of the points taken in the discussion.

The author begs leave therefore distinctly to state, that nearly the whole of the following pages had been written before the publication of Dr. Smith's work, which the Author had not the good fortune to read until within the last few weeks, nor did he ever attend or read reports of the Rev. Dr. Smith's lectures on the subject. He might be justly proud of any community of thought with so learned, so pious, and so able an authority. Without however presuming to flatter

PREFACE.

. himself that any such analogy has in any point existed, he cannot but perceive that the prior appearance of the able Treatise of the Rev. Dr. Smith, would be very likely to injure the recognition of the author's own claim to the merit of any originality in his plan, and mode of treating the subject of the following pages, were he not to impress this statement on the reader's attention. It is at the same time a grateful duty to acknowledge, that from the perusal of that work he has derived considerable pleasure and instruction, and has, as it will be seen, availed himself, on the final revision of the manuscript, of the advantage also of introducing many appropriate ex tracts from that highly talented author. London, 1840. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. Page. Exalted nature of Geological study — Its results compared with those of Astronomy — Curiosity and interest attached to Geological research — Statement of the question attempted to be raised between Geology and Scripture — The effect of an adherence to the received doctrine of the Creation, compared with the results of scientific discovery — Magnificent views of creation unfolded in geological research — Reasons for entering on a defence of its cultivation, and an exposition of the arguments by which its consistency with Scripture and its value to religion are proved . . . . . . . . 1 — 15

Chapter II

General View of the Nature, the Objects, and the Relations of Geological research. The province and results of the inquiry — The facts and conclusions to which it leads — Its theological tendency — Geology viewed in relation to Astronomical Science and to other branches of physical inquiry — Its practical value urged — The peculiar interest attached to Fossil Organic Remains — and remarkable conclusions resulting from their study 1 6—27 CONTENTS. XVI

Chapter III

Summary of the Geological Discoveries which establish the high Antiquity of the Earth ; and General View of the Evidences presented by the varied Strata and Organic Fossils, and of the Reasons for assigning to its Duration a far more remote Antiquity THAN THE ERA SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED BY THE Sacred Narrative. Page.

Nature of Geological Evidence — Validity of its conclusions — Inconsistency and injustice of their opponents — State ment of the Evidences of Terrestrial duration — 1st, Evidences from Stratification — In the Silurian System — The Devonian or Old Red Sandstone — In the Superior formations — In the Tertiary formations — In the antiquit}' of Volcanic districts — The discoveries and arguments from analogy adduced by Dr. Macculloch as decisive of antiquity — Alluvial deposits — General mineralogical cha racters of the Strata — Cleavage of Slate Rocks — Strata derived from older formations — Crystalline Rocks — Interchange of land and sea — Evidences of repetition of change — Geological revolutions — The Rev. Dr. Pye Smith's arguments — The slow elevation of land — High antiquity of raised Beaches — 2nd, Evidences of Terres trial duration drawn from organic remains — Duration and extinction of species — Remarkable phenomena dis closed by geological research as to the distribution of Fossil organic remains and the boundary lines marked by certain great formations between the distinct classes of organic life which successively inhabited the globe — Earliest forms of life — In the Slate system — Fossils of the Silurian system — Of the Carboniferous series — Of the New Red Sandstone and Oolite — Evidences of the distinct successions of organic life — Predominance of certain orders— Recent creation of Man — Statement of pro portions in recent and fossil species — Lines of separation CONTENTS.

XVII Page of recent and fossil genera — -Proportions between recent and fossil kinds — Summary of the evidences to the profound antiquity of the Earth .... 28 — 68

Chapter IV

General Considerations on the bearing of certain Conclusions in Geology, upon the Doctrine which the Mosaic Text has been commonly represented to teach in regard to the Ancient History and Duration of the Globe. Bearing of the proofs of Terrestrial Antiquity on the doctrine hitherto founded upon the Mosaic Text — Erroneous hypotheses — Independent nature of Geological truths — Science in harmony with Scripture properly understood —Erroneous notions of Terrestrial history hitherto built on the introductory portions of Genesis — Inconsistent with Science — Triumph of Geology — Danger of insisting on received interpretation of the text, the evidences of Geology being paramount and infallible — Importance of correct judgment on the subject — Presumption and incompetence of anti-Geologists — Method of cultivating Geology recommended by the Rev. Professor Sedgwick — Sure foundation of Geological Science — Considerations recommending an altered interpretation of the Mosaic text to render it consistent with actual discoveries — Comments on the misrepresentations advanced by anti- Geologists — Arguments of the Rev. Mr. Harcourt — Mr. Fairholme — Mr. Mellor Brown — His lamentable pretence of humility — Dr. Pye Smith's character of adverse writers — Digression on Special Pleading — The expedients adopted by anti-Geologists not sanctioned by reason — Paramount authority of natural phenomena, vindicated — Comparative view of the Scientific and of the Popular doctrines — The Rev. William Vernon Harcourt's Presidential address — Geology and Scripture consistent, and value of Geology to Religion .... 09 — 90 b CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Considerations arising on the Arguments which prove the Portion of the Mosaic Text in question to be susceptible of altered construction, without affecting the sanctities of Revelation.

Page Distinct province of Scripture — The independent authority of Scripture and of Science not recognized by anti- Geologists — Consistent reconciliation rejected by prejudiced readers of the Mosaic text — Opposition to the Newtonian Philosophy — To the Huttonian System — Geologists disclaim subjection to the received intepretation of the text — Argument of Mr. Babbage as to the conclusion of reason in a parallel case — Concurrent testimony of Geology to the fundamental announcements of Scripture — and definition of the point on which alone the Mosaic text requires to be differently interpreted — Requisitions of " Simple believers" — Their inconsistency exposed — Inspired origin of the Mosaic text not questioned by Geologists — The researches of Science are uncontrolled by received doctrines of Scripture — Geology entitled to prescribe the construction of the Text in regard to the history of the Earth — The province of Natural History foreign to Scripture — Philological reasons for concluding that the text bears an altered meaning — the necessity of a condescending style — simplicity of language employed— Science an unfit subject for Revelation- No actual revelation of Terrestrial history — The points on which the discrepancy has arisen are extraneous features of the Sacred record — Scripture unimpeached— Value of the testimony of Moses — His veracity not called in question — Documentary Sources of the narrative — Evidences of Compilation— Dr. Pye Smith's opinion thereon— Imaginative features probably added— Poetic character — Object of the Mosaic narrative considered — Means employed to effect it— Purposes of Revelation- CONTENTS.

XIX Page and sense in which originally received — Conclusion of the arguments which justify the required change of interpretation ....... 96 — 130

Chapter VI

The Conclusions of Geology considered with reference to the Doctrine which the Mosaic Narrative was thought to teach as regards the Creation of the Earth and of Animated Nature. The popular doctrine stated — Its contradiction by the testimony of Geological discoveries — Resulting necessity of an altered interpretation of the Text on which that doctrine has been founded — Inconsistency of the Opponents of the truth, and perverseness of prejudice — Hypotheses proposed for establishing reconciliation of Geology and Scripture — Insufficiency of those founded on supposed physical appearances — Satisfactory nature of Philological explanations — The interpretation recommended by the Rev. Dr. Chalmers — That proposed by the Rev. Professor Buckland — Dr. Pye Smith — Professor Phillips — Chronological sequence in the narrative fallacious — Considerations arising on the fourth day's work of Creation and on the necessity of the previous creation of other Planets of Solar System — Resulting conclusion that the order of narration is immaterial — The difficulty suggested as to the Creation of Light obviated by a Philological explanation—Reference to the proofs that the commencement of organic life was long anterior to that of the existing system — Consistent interpretation proposed — Its recommendations on Philological grounds — The supposed objection founded on the institution of the Sabbath inapplicable ■ — Admission by anti-Geologists of the validity of Geological doctrines— Creation incomprehensible but its records X CONTENTS.

Page easily understood — The occurrence of distinct periods in Creation fully consistent with Scripture-^-Arguments establishing that consistency — Sanction of Hebrew criticism—Interpretation of the "six days"— Period of the first Creation — Resulting consistency and satisfactory reconciliation ....... 130 — 167

Chapter VII

The Conclusions of Geology considered with reference to the Scriptural Doctrine of the Noachian Flood. Statement of popular errors as to the Deluge — Geological evidences that the Mosaic Deluge was not the only event that has affected the globe— Proofs of anterior changes — Summary of those Evidences — Resulting inferences drawn — Reasons for concluding that the Deluge was not identical with any of the Geological revolutions of the Globe — No Fossil remains of Man — Their absence adduced as corroborating testimony of Scripture — Fossil Organic remains are not due to the Deluge — Mosaic Flood insufficient for production of Geological phenomena — Theory of interchange of Land and Sea at the period of the Deluge shewn to be untenable — Land and Sea did not change places at the Deluge — The Universality of the Flood not questioned by Geology — Other considerations disprove the assumed Universabty of the Delude — Arguments by which its Universality is positively contradicted — The Universality of the Deluge not affirmed by Scripture — Is contradicted by the known laws of nature — By Geological appearances — By aged Trees and Volcanic products — Traditionary testimony to its Universality unavailing — Credibility of the Sacred Historian also unavailing — General result . . . jgg gOo CONTENTS. XI

Chapter VIII

General summary of the considerations which form the subject of the three last preceding Chapters; and of the reasons which have been held by able commentators for admitting the consistency of the results established in geology with the doctrines of Revelation. Page Summary of the Arguments by which the consistency of Geology and Revelation is established — General conclusion and deduced result .... 206 — 209

Chapter IX

The nature and tendency of Geological Researches considered in their relations to other branches of Science. The Relations of Geology to kindred Sciences — Re-animated historians of the ancient Globe — Eulogium by Sir John Herschel cited — Considerations of the results of Geological inquiry — Evidences of designed adaptation — Privileges of Geological inquiry — Importance of the study of Organic remains — Inferences stated by Dr. Mantell 210 — 219

Chapter X

The Study of Organic Fossils considered, and the proofs they contribute to the evidences of design in Creation briefly reviewed. Considerations on the study of Organic remains — Facts announced in its cultivation — Theological testimonies thence derived — Retrospective proofs of Design — Peculiar CONTENTS. Page. interest attached to the study of Organic fossils — Vast amount of Fossil remains— Results of Anatomical investigation — Wonders of Geology — Principles of induction applied — Identity of system evidenced in the structure of ancient Fossil animals — Ammonites — Pachydermata — Fossil Saurians — Interesting character of the study of these remains — Resulting Evidences of Design — Those displayed in the structure of the Icthyosaurus adduced — ■ Connexion of system displayed — Similar Evidences in Fossil plants— General Conclusion and Theological result 219—238

Chapter XI

The Study' of the Mineral Structure of the Globe recommended as furnishing additional evidences of beneficent adaptation and design. Evidences of Design afforded in the Mineral structure of the Globe, and the disposition or arrangement of its component masses — Importance of the actual structure and collocation of those formations to the welfare of Mankind — Those relations particularly manifested in the Carboniferous system— and displayed in all the phenomena of Mineralogical structure — General result . 238 — 2*16

Chapter XII

Theological Results contributed in the cultivation of Geology, and more especially by the examination of Fossil Organic Remains. The argument of M. Baillie pursued— Considerations on the Design evidenced in existing and Fossil structures Peculiar value of those evidences as derived in the Fossil CONTENTS. XXIII Page. world — Identity of system displayed — Evidences of De sign from Fossil Plants reviewed — Theological value of the derived results — Dr. Paley's argument applied — The evidences of Designed adaptation further considered — The immediate interest of mankind in those works of creation of which they cannot claim the exclusive use — Comparison of the results deduced in Geological research, with those established in our inquiries in existing Creation, and arguments resulting from the coincidence of their testimony to the Eternal Being, the Wisdom and the Goodness of God — Conclusion . . . 247 — 268 Notes