284 THEORY of the EARTH. 



compofition at the bottom of the fea, as well as to that opera- 

 tion by which thofe bodies had been indurated in their fub- 

 ftance, and elevated from the place in which they had been, 

 formed. 



THUS, we have fufficient reafon to believe, that, in knowing 

 the conftruction of the land in Europe, we know the conftitu- 

 tion of the land in every part of the globe. Therefore, we 

 may proceed to form general conclufions, from the knowledge 

 of the mineral region, thus acquired in ftudying thofe parts 

 which are feen. 



HAVING thus found, firjl, That the confolidated and indu- 

 rated mafles of our ftrata had fuffered the effects of violent heat 

 and fufion j idly. That thofe ftrata, which had been formed in 

 a regular manner at the bottom of the fea, have been violently 

 bended, broken and removed from their original place and fitxi- 

 ation ; and, la/lly, Having now found the molt indubitable 

 proof, that the melting, breaking, and removing power of fub- 

 terraneous fire, has been actually exerted upon this land which 

 we examine, we cannot hefitate in afcribing thefe operations as 

 a caufe to thofe effects which are expofed to our view. Now, 

 thefe may be confidered as confifling in the folid ftate and pre- 

 fent fituation of thofe ftratified bodies, originally formed by 

 fubfidence in the ocean ; appearances which cannot, in reafon, 

 be afcribed to any other caufe, and which, upon this principle, 

 are perfectly explained. 



IT is not meant to fpecify every particular in the means em- 

 ployed by nature for the elevation of our land. It is fufficient 

 to have {hewn, that there is, in nature, means employed for the 

 confolidating of ftrata, formed originally of loofe and incoherent 

 materials ; and that thofe fame means have alfo been employed 

 in changing the place and fituation of thofe ftrata. But how 

 defcribe an operation which man cannot have any opportunity 

 of perceiving ? Or how imagine that, for which, perhaps, there 

 are not proper data to be found ? We only know, that the land 



is 



