e spots; look at
repeatedly injected intrusive masses. In my paper on Volcanic Phenomena
in the "Geol. Transactions." (482/4. "On the Connection of certain
Volcanic Phenomena, and on the Formation of Mountain-chains and the
Effects of Continental Elevations." "Geol. Soc. Proc." Volume II., pages
654-60, 1838; "Trans. Geol. Soc." Volume V., pages 601-32, 1842. [Read
March 7th, 1838.]) I have argued (and Lonsdale thought well of the
argument, in favour, as he remarked, of your original doctrine) that if
Hopkins' views are correct, viz., that mountain chains are subordinate
consequences to changes of level in mass, then, as we have evidence of
such horizontal movements in mass having been slow, the foundation of
mountain chains (differing from volcanoes only in matter being injected
instead of ejected) must have been slow.

Secondly, Ramsay has been influenced, I think, by his Alpine insects;
but he is wrong in thinking that there is any necessary connection
of tropics and large insects--videlicet--Galapagos Arch., under the
equator. Small insects swarm in all parts of tropics, though accompanied
generally with large ones.

Thirdly, he appears influenced by the absence of newer deposits on the
old area, blinded by the supposed necessity of sediment accumulating
somewhere near (as no doubt is true) and being PRESERVED--an example,
as I think, of the common error which I wrote to you about. The
preservation of sedimentary deposits being, as I do not doubt, the
exception when they are accumulated during periods of elevation or of
stationary level, and therefore the preservation of newer deposits would
not be probable, according to your view that Ramsay's great Palaeozoic
masses were denuded, whilst slowly rising. Do pray look at end of
Chapter II., at what little I have said on this subject in my S.
American volume. (482/5. The second chapter of the "Geological
Observations" concludes with a Summary on the Recent Elevations of the
West Coast of South America, (page 53).)

I do not think you can safely argue that the whole surface was probably
denuded at same time to the level of the lateral patches of Magnesian
conglomerate.

The latter part of the paper strikes me as good, but obvious.

I shall send him my S. American volume for it is curious on how many
similar points we enter, and I modestly hope it may be a half-oz. weight
towards his conversion to better views. If he would but reject his great
sudden elevations, ho