THEORY of the EARTH. 263 



fides the confolidation of porous or incoherent bodies, we fhall 

 generalize a fad, or extend our knowledge in the explanation of 

 natural appearances. 



THE power of heat for the expanfion of bodies, is, fo far as 

 we know, unlimited j but by the expanfion of bodies placed 

 under the flrata at the bottom of the fea, the elevation of thofe 

 flrata may be affected j and the queflion now to be refolved re- 

 gards the actual exertion of this power of expanfion, How far 

 it is to be concluded as having been employed in the production, 

 of this earth above the level of the fea. 



BEFORE attempting to refolve that queflion, it may be proper 

 to obferve, there has been exerted an extreme degree of heat 

 below the ftrata formed at the bottom of the fea ; and this is 

 precifely the action of a. power required for the elevation of 

 thofe heated bodies into a higher place. Therefore, if there is 

 no other way in which we may conceive this event to have been 

 brought about, confiftent with the prefent flate of things, or 

 what actually appears, we fhall have a right to conclude, that 

 fuch had been the order of procedure in natural things, and 

 that the flrata formed at the bottom of the fea had been ele- 

 vated, as well as confolidated, by means of fubterraneous 

 heat. 



THE confolidation of flrata by means of fufion or the power 

 of heat, has been concluded from the examination of nature^ 

 and from finding, that the prefent flate of things is inconfiflent 

 with any other fuppofition. Now, again, we are confidering 

 the only power that may be conceived as capable of elevating 

 flrata from the bottom of the fea, and placing fuch a mafs 

 above the furface of the water. It is a truth unqueflionable,- 

 that what had been originally at the bottom of the fea, is at 

 prefent the highefl of our land. In explaining this appearance, 

 therefore, no other alternative is left, but either to fuppofe flra- 

 ta elevated by the power of heat above the level of the prefent 

 fea, or the furface of the ocean reduced many miles below the 



heightr 



