To this formation, with its fossil footprints, we owe doubtless the fine fancy of Longfellow, in one of his sweet minor poems; and we shall bring this chapter to a close by quoting the last three verses of this lyric. If we can fulfil such a mission, we had better be frail and erring men than huge Labyrinthodons:— “Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, _And departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time_. “Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwreck’d brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. “Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait.” CHAPTER VIII. SECONDARY ROCKS. _No. 2. The Oolitic System._ “Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.”—JOB. The next division of the secondary rocks is termed the Oolitic system or group. This is a term rather of convenience than of scientific accuracy. In this title it is intended to include the Lias, the Oolite proper, and the Wealden formations. This chapter will be limited to a consideration of the first two series of rocks just named, and in each we shall find abundant material for thoughtful contemplation and intelligent wonder. The English student of geology possesses this great advantage over the student of geology in other lands: this little “corner of Europe,” called England, contains types of almost all the European rocks, and not a few of those that are found in Asia, Africa, and America. To this fact Professor Whewell alluded when he said, “As if nature wished to imitate our geological maps, she has placed in the corner of Europe our island, containing an index series of European formations in full detail.” Out of this circumstance, though little thought of by any except the geologist, arise our threefold sources of wealth. But for the varied distribution of rocks through our country, neither mining, nor manufacturing, nor agricultural operations could be carried on to that extent, and with that success, which have made this country the envy and the admiration of the civilized world. In the warlike age, when Shakspeare wrote, we expect that his praise of England will be on account of her internal security from foreign invasion, and in the hardy prowess of her sons; as when he says, and we are not insensible to the patriotic emotions wakened up by such noble words,—