Genre:

Letter, Extract

Publications extracted:

J G Schweighausen

Subjects:

Archaeology, Geology, Mineralogy, Palaeontology, Creation, Time

People mentioned:

Antoine C Quatremère de Quincy

    Describes the cave dwellings of troglodytes near the Castle of Paulmy. The mineral veins in the rocks are divine 'hieroglyphics'. Discusses the origin of the rocks, fossils, and minerals; the origin of the flint veins 'is an enigma which the sagacity of geologists has in vain attempted to explain'. The rocks appear to be of recent marine formation, but the contrast with the nearby castle gives rise to the exclamation: 'What a long series of human events this single view compresses into a space so small for nature!'. (204)