s to be resolved, let us take a general view of
the subject, in order to see what it is which science and observation
must decide.

In all the regions of the globe, immense masses are found, which, though
at present in the most solid state, appear to have been formed by the
collection of the calcareous _exuviae_ of marine animals. The question
at present is not, in what manner those collections of calcareous relics
have become a perfect solid body, and have been changed from an animal
to a mineral substance; for this is a subject that will be afterwards
considered; we are now only inquiring, if such is truly the origin of
those mineral masses.

That all the masses of marble or limestone are composed of the
calcareous matter of marine bodies, may be concluded from the following
facts:

1_st_, There are few beds of marble or limestone, in which may not be
found some of those objects which indicate the marine origin of the
mass. If, for example, in a mass of marble, taken from a quarry upon the
top of the Alps or Andes[2], there shall be found one cockle-shell, or
piece of coral, it must be concluded, that this bed of stone had been
originally formed at the bottom of the sea, as much as another bed which
is evidently composed almost altogether of cockle-shells and coral. If
one bed of limestone is thus found to have been of a marine origin,
every concomitant bed of the same kind must be also concluded to have
been formed in the same Manner.

[Note 2: "Cette sommite elevee de 984 toises au dessus de notre lac, et
par consequent de 1172 au dessus de la mer, est remarquable en ce que
l'on y voit des fragmens d'huitres petrifies.--Cette montagne est
dominee par un rocher escarpe, qui s'il n'est pas inaccessible, est du
moins d'un bien difficile acces; il paroit presqu'entierement compose
de coquillages petrifies, renfermes dans un roc calcaire, ou marbre
grossier noiratre. Les fragmens qui s'en detachent, et que l'on
rencontre en montant a la Croix de fer, sont remplis de _turbinites_ de
differentes especes." M. DE SAUSSURE, _Voyage dans les Alpes_, p. 394.]

We thus shall find the greatest part of the calcareous masses upon this
globe to have originated from marine calcareous bodies; for whether
we examine marbles, limestones, or such solid masses as are perfectly
changed from the state of earth, and are become compact and hard, or
whether we examine the soft, earthy, chalky or marly strata, of which so
much of this ear