THEORY of the EARTH. 217 



nature of this world, which he thus pofTefTes in virtue of his 

 proper* right ; and he alone can make the knowledge of this 

 fyflem a fource of pleafure and the means of happinefs. 



MAN alone, of all the animated beings which enjoy the be- 

 nefits of this earth, employs the knowledge which he there re- 

 ceives, in leading him to judge of the intention of things, as well 

 as of the means by which they are brought about ; and he alone 

 is thus made to enjoy, in contemplation as well as fenfual plea- 

 fure, all the good that may be obferved in the conftitution of this 

 world ; he, therefore, mould be made the firil fubjecl: of enquiry. 

 Now, if we are to take the written hiftory of man for the 

 rule by which we mould judge of the time when the fpecies firft 

 began, that period would be but little removed from the pre- 

 fent ftate of things. The Mofaic hiftory places this beginning 

 of man at no great diftance ; and there has not been found, in 

 natural hiftory, any document by which a high antiquity 

 might be attributed to the human race. But this is not the 

 cafe with regard to the inferior fpecies of animals, particularly 

 thofe which inhabit the ocean and its mores. We find in na- 

 tural hiftory monuments which prove that thole animals had long 

 exifted ; and we thus procure a meafure for the computation of 

 a period of time extremely remote, though far from being pre- 

 cifely afcertained. 



IN examining things prefent, we have data from which to 

 reafon with regard to what has been ; and, from what has ac- 

 tually been, we have data for concluding with regard to that 

 which is to happen hereafter. Therefore, upon the fuppofition 

 that the operations of nature are equable and fteady, we find, 

 in natural appearances, means for concluding a certain portion 

 of time to have necelTarily elapfed, in the production of thofe 

 events of which we fee the effects. 



IT is thus that, in finding the relics of fea-animals of every 

 kind in the folid body of our earth, a natural hiftory of thofe 

 animals is formed, which includes a certain portion of time ; 



E e and 



