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KED PRIMARY SANDSTONE. 183 The reasons for ranking this sandstone in the pri mary class are now apparent, notwithstanding its re semblance to those of the secondary division; and, that it is not even the latest of the primary strata, is evident from the preceding history of its connexions. No ob jections need arise with respect to the application of the term primary, to a rock composed of re-united frag ments, since the same character occurs in quartz rock, and also in micaceous schist; as there are also striking analogies between the former series and the present, in many important particulars. The obvious differences, in deed, frequently consist in little else than colour; fel spar being equally present in some kinds of quartz rock, though of a paler hue than in this sandstone; while both have been generated from gneiss and granite, in these cases, as, in others, from those, and from other strata of a former series, as noticed in the chapter on the Revolu tions of the Earth. I may conclude these remarks by observing, that they who do not choose to admit a new distinction, may consi der this as a modification of quartz rock. Rut the mag nitude and distinctness of the masses, with their marked appearance and separation from the other forms of this substance, seem to give it a claim to a place somewhat more important than would arise from mere distinction of colour; though I willingly leave it to the judgment of others. If it is considered as unwarrantably intro duced into the antient catalogue, I cannot quote any con firmation of its existence elsewhere, from the writings of foreign authors. But as M. Cordier has recently pro fessed to me his belief in a red sandstone, followed by a schist, and anterior to that “old red sandstone” which he takes care to distinguish from the red marl, it is likely that the rock which 1 have now described does actually exist on the continent of Europe.