8 Observations on the Effects of 



that the valley*; being of the same or usual form, which 

 descend into and much below the level of the sea, the se- 

 parating hills must have been of such usual form also; and 

 since, on following any mioe of hill on land, we scarcely 

 ever meet with a facade or perpendicular rise in or across its 

 height, it follows, that the numerous and almost invariably 

 abrupt endings of lulls at the sea, is the effect of their 

 abrasion, or being worn away by the waves, and not of 

 faults or depressions. 



The 27th head dismisses the question, Whether the level 

 of the present sea has ever changed ? Here I cannot but 

 admire the address, with which M. De Luc has brought 

 the numerous and, indeed, invariable instances of the hori- 

 zontality of the new formed or modern alluvial lands, to 

 bear on the question, and prove, as several others of the facts 

 which he relates also do, that the sea has remained at its 

 present level, or verv near it, ever since the present race of 

 men, animals, or plants have existed upon the earth; and 

 1 may add perhaps, ever since the present race, of fish also, 

 have existed in its waters. 



The remaining four heads, viz. the 23d, 24th, 25th, and 

 • 26th, relate to the question, What is the age of our present 

 Continents P From a chain of facts, too numerous for me 

 here to particularize, as they run through the whole book, 

 mv author endeavours to prove, and successfully, as I think, 

 _and have hinted already, that natural appearances and the 

 state of society concur in proving that, our continents can- 

 not at the most, be more ancient than the Scripture chrono- 

 logy represents them to be. i wait with some impatience 

 for the appearance of the 2d volume of these Travels, which 

 is to treat of scenes somewhat more familiar to me, and 

 am, sir, Yours, &c. 



m July 1,1810. A. B. 



II. Observations on the Effects of Magnesia, in prevent- 

 ing an increased Formation of Uric Acid; with some 

 Remarks on the Composition of the Urine. Communicated 

 by Mr. William T. 1>raxdk, F.R. t S. to the Society for 

 trie Improvement of Animal Chemistry, and by ihem to 

 the Royal Society*. 



JVJ r. Home's inquiries into the functions ot the stomach, 

 and his discovery ol' liquids passing from the cardiac por- 

 tion, into the circulation or the Blood f, led him to con* 



* From the Philosophical Traduction* for 1810, P.nrt I. 



sider. 



