386 Observations suggested by 



incalculable masses of materials necessary to form the latter, 

 could only be derived from the destructive transportation of 

 other strata equally extensive; and the present elevation 

 of stratified mountains is demonstrative evidence of the 

 former existence of the countries which, in disappearing, 

 have furnished such vast masses of diversified material for 

 the formation of other stratified countries in other situations. 

 These simple and sublime geological truths, however they 

 may now shock minds unaccustomed to the contemplation 

 of natural grandeur, will, at no distant period, be as gene- 

 rally assented to as the gravitation of Newton. 



The just appreciation of geological phenomena is amongst 

 the most creditable things of modern science. Already are 

 the ignesjatui of hypothetical invention disappearing, and 

 we no longer hear of seas fourteen thousand feet above the 

 level of the present ocean retiring into cavernous recepta- 

 cles, or of the exaltation of continents, to equal heights, by 

 vulcanian energies. Forged in the same fabulous workshop, 

 they are already slumbering on the same shelf with the vi- 

 treous sparks of Buffon. 



The great source, I conceive, of all hypothetical reason- 

 ing on the formation of the earth arises from the mistaken 

 opinion, that the- present laws of nature are insufficient to 

 account for past effects ; without duly considering, that the 

 natural causes which are now operating changes on our 

 globe have been in action millions of years, and that it is 

 the almost infinite duration and variance of their action, 

 rather than the apparent little which we can now perceive 

 them performing, that will enable us to account for the stu- 

 pendous effects which they have accomplished. The system- 

 builder by a deluge, an internal fire, an external crust, the 

 vicinity of an erratic planet, or some such fanciful creation, 

 is for accomplishing, almost in an instant', that which, far 

 more probably, required many thousands of years to effect ; 

 and it assuredly is a rigid attention to, or disregard of, the 

 two important circumstances of time and agency, that marks 

 the boundary line between fanciful hypothesis and genuine 

 theory. When the investigator flies off in' search of a cause 

 which no longer exists, or no longer operates within the 



. sphers 



