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Show 86 GEOLOGY OF THE HIGH PLATEAUS. stitution of the numerous kinds and to their degrees of affinity; second, those having reference to their genesis. In other words, we desire a formula which shall express what the rocks are and the causes which made them what they are. It may be said at once that we have no knowledge of the genesis of volcanic rocks sufficient to make a coherent formula, or out of which we can construct a system of causation, however crude. We know that they came up out of the earth in a molten condition, and that is all we can confidently say of their origin. Our classification, therefore, must, from the necessities of the case, be confined to an expression of what we know concerning their physical constitution. In this direction our knowledge is sufficient to justify an attempt to formulate it. Let us look first at those physical properties which are common to all volcanic rocks, and which, therefore, serve to distinguish them as a category from all other categories; if, indeed, such a distinction really exists. 1. All volcanic rocks have been in a state of fusion at a high temperature. 2. All volcanic rocks have been displaced from unknown depths in the earth, and have risen in a fiery, liquid condition, either to the surface, where the}7" have outflowed as lavas, or have intruded themselves, part-way up, among colder overlying rocks, where they have quietly solidified. 3. They consist of aluminous silicate, combined with lime, magnesia, soda, and potash; iron is very rarely absentâ€"perhaps never wholly wanting. Moreover, the quantities of these several oxides, though varying, have tolerably narrow ranges of variation. Thus the silica never materially exceeds 80 per cent, nor falls sensibly below 45 per cent; the alumina ranges from 10 to 20 per cent., the lime from 1 to 10 per cent, &c. 4. All volcanic rocks consist of an amorphous base, holding crystals, except, however, some intrusive rocks, which appear to be wholly crystalline. In some obsidians, on the other hand, crystals are exceeding rare, though probably no great mass of obsidian is wholly without them. Although it seems as if there ought never to be any difficulty in distinguishing a volcanic rock from any belonging to other categories, yet this difficulty sometimes arises. A rock may have been fused and displaced from its seat; it may have the chemical constitution and "half- |
