216 Dr Daubeiiy on the Diluvial Theory , 



geologist, who,; by Jiis objections to the elevation-theory, as ap- 

 pljetl to such cases as JoruUo or the Puy de Dome, has shewn 

 a reluctance to admit this mode of explanation, except on what 

 he considers the strongest grounds. ' *^ ^"i=? 'i 



Upon the whole, then, there seems no reason to question, 

 that, in volcanic districts, the common rocks of the country are 

 sometimes heaved up around a circumscribed area ; and if simi- 

 lar examples cannot be pointed out in other countries, it ougbt 

 not to excite surprise, that, where all other indications of igneous 

 action are wanting, this one should not occur. 



Granting, then, the throwing up of a cone of trachyte to 

 serve often in a manner as a prelude to the volcanic operations 

 which we in general witness^ an additional reason will exist for 

 admitting, that such convulsions would have attended the first 

 breaking out of a volcano in a new district, as might have 

 brought about a very extensive flood, when a sea or lake was 

 contiguous; but I am by no means obliged to stake the truth 

 of this theory upon the admissibility of Von Buch^s hypothesis^ 

 as the conclusions of M. Elie de 3eaumont ^lone appear to me '' 

 sufhcient to lead to Its adoption. ^ ?r . s .?/ , 



I contend, therefore, upon both these grounds^ that a belief* ' 

 in the unchangeableness of the laws of nature is by no meanis 

 incompatible with an admission of the diluvial theory in the 

 sense in which I haye here explained it; and that our want of 

 experience as to the occurrence of such events in the present 

 day no more excuses the rejection of the evidence from which 

 our belief in them is ; derived, than a long exemption from 

 famine or pestilence would justify a nation of savages, that pos- 

 sessed no historical records, in concluding the traditions of such 

 calamities, which had been handed do\ya to them by their fore- 

 fathers, to be founded in ^Tor, and inconsistent with their actual , 

 knowledge. i , 



From the very nature , of things, the intervals between such ^ ; 

 catastrophes would be of long duration, as.the eveqts themselves 

 would have required a combination of circumstances not often 

 met with together; just as we are told by astronomers that the 

 approach of a comet, sufficiently near our planet to pro<iuce a ' 

 sensible influence on its climate, or aflect the height or direction 

 of its tides, although it may be expected to occur at some period 

 or other, is extremely improbable at any given time. 



