THEORY of the EARTH. 261 



confolidated mafles, although not always fo well illuftrated in 

 a cabinet fpecimen. 



THUS we have difcovered a truth that is confirmed by every 

 appearance, fo far as the nature of the fubjecl now examined 

 admits. We now return to the general operation, of forming 

 continents of thofe materials which had been depofited at the 

 bottom of the fea. 



PART III. 



Invefligation of the Natural Operations employed in the Production of 

 Land above the Surface of the Sea. 



WE feek to know that operation by means of which maf- 

 fes of loofe materials, collected at the bottom of the 

 fea, were raifed above its furface, and transformed into folid 

 land. 



WE have found, that there is not in this globe (as a planet 

 revolving in the folar fyftem) any power or motion adapted to 

 the purpofe now in view ; nor, were there fuch a power, could 

 a mafs of {imply collected materials have continued any confi- 

 derable time to refift the waves and currents natural to the fea, 

 but muft have been quickly carried away, and again depofited 

 at the bottom of the ocean. But we have found, that there had 

 been operations, natural to the bowels of this earth, by which 

 thofe loofe and unconnected materials have been cemented to- 

 gether, and confolidated into mafTes of great ftrength and hard- 

 nefs ; thofe bodies are thus enabled to refift the force of waves 

 and currents, and to preferve themfelves, for a fuflicient time, 

 in their proper fhape and place, as land above the general fur- 

 face of the ocean. 



WE 



