The Vedic fathers of geology

Tae Azorc Epon. 107

geological or astrononucal, philosophical or governmental, literary or scientific, were ever clothed in the attire of Religion, as this had always to them the all-absorbing interest. And, as observed by Max-Muller, in his “ [ndia. What can it teach us?” (Md. 1888. pp. 107108), “it embraced not only worship and prayer, but what we call philosophy, morality, law, and goyernment,—all was pervaded by religion. Their whole life was to them a religion—every thing else was, as it were, a mere concession made tothe ephemeral requirements of this life.” Naturally, therefore, there was among Vedic Geologists and scientists difterence of opinion, which, however, exists amongst scientists of all ages, aud which, without detracting its value, only adds to its flavour and importance, as it indicates that the Vedie geologist, philosopher, or scientist, had his own stand-poimt in the investigations in which he was engaged, and shows, moreover, that his researches were not only independant, but were continued without the slavish spirit of servile imitation.

All the description, therefore, in statement No. I, though clothed in inystical words, relates to the primary state of our globe, its gaseous, liquid or molten condition, and to the Azoic Period, when, owing to the heat of the