

ON THE DECLIVITIES OP MOUNTAINS. 26l 



In Afia. 



12. The Ourals, which ftretch from N. to S. are far fteeper in Afia, 

 en the weftern than on the fouthern (ides ; Herman Geologie, 



p. 90, and 2d Ural Befchreib. p. 389. 



13. The mountain of Armenic to the weft of the Ourals is 

 fteep on its E. and N. fides, but gentle on the fouthern and 

 weftern; 1. Pallas Voy. p. 277. 



1 4. The Altaifchan mountains are fteep on their fouthern 

 and weftern fides, but gentle on the northern and eaftern*; 

 Fofter, ibid, and Herman 2d. Ural Befchreib. p. 390/ in the 

 note. 



15. So alfo are the mountains of Caucafus, 3d. Schrift. Berl. 

 Gefelich. 471. 



16. The mountains of Kamfkattka are fteep on the eaftern 

 fides, Pallas, 1 A&. Petropol. 1777, p. 43. 



17. The Ghauts in the Indian peninfula are fteep on the 

 weftern fides. 



18. The mountains of Syria which run from N. to S. (kirt- 

 ing the Mediterranean, are faid to be fteeper on the weftern fide 

 facing the Mediterranean j 4. La Metherie, p. 380. 



In America. 



The Cordelieres run from N. to S. their weftern flanks to- in America* 

 wards the Pacific are fteep, their eaftern defcend gradually. 



In Guiana there is a chain of mountains that run from E. to 

 W. their fouthern flanks are fteep, their northern gentle ; 

 Voyages de Condamine, p. 140. 



To aflign the caufes of this almoft univerfal allotment of un- Deduction of 

 equal declivities to oppoiite points, and why the greateft are caufes * 

 directed to the weft and fouth, and the gentleft on the contrary 

 to the eaft and north, it is neceflary to confider, 



1. That all mountains were formed while covered with 

 water. 



2. That the earth was univerfally covered with water at The earth wa 

 two different aeras, that of the creation, and that of the No- ^wkhwaterT" 

 achian deluge. 



3. That in the firft aera we muft diftinguifli two different Two aras. 

 periods, that which preceded the appearance of dry land, and 



that which fucceeded the creation of fifti, but before the fea 

 kad been reduced nearly to its prefent level; during the 



former 



