292 Dr Daubeny on the 



an early opportunity of pointing out wherein I conceive them 

 to be erroneous. 



It is true, that the gulf which a difference of country and 

 language, even under the favourable circumstances of the pre- 

 sent day, interposes between the productions of English and 

 foreign literati, has prevented the Professor from noticing the 

 views of so humble a fellow labourer in the field of science as 

 myself,* and hence, fhat he has done little more on this subject, 

 than reiterate objections which had been previously advanced, 

 and, as I had hoped, had been long ago set at rest by myself. 



I trust, therefore, that your readers in general, now that the 

 subject of volcanos has been so prominently brought before 

 them by the publication of Bischofs various memoirs, will not 

 grudge me the small additional space requisite for supplying 

 these omissions, and that the Professor himself, who has taken 

 so much pains to bring together every thing that can be sup- 

 posed to bear, however remotely, upon the questions at issue, 

 will be obliged to me for thus directing his attention to publi- 

 cations, which do not appear yet to have met his eye. 



I proceed, then, to notice in detail the several objections al- 

 ledged by Bischof to the chemical theory of volcanos, first, 

 by stating their substance briefly, though I hope with fairness, 

 and afterwards subjoining (in many cases in the very words of 

 my former publications) the grounds on which I consider them 

 inconclusive. 



1^^ Objection. — It is not true that volcanos are always near 

 the sea. 



Pesckan, in the centre of Asia, is 260 geographical miles from 

 any great sea, and yet has given rise to streams of lava within the 

 period of our history. It also lies 25 geographical miles from 

 the lake of Timartu or Issikul, which is not twice as large as 

 the lake of Geneva. 



The volcano of Turfan also is surrounded by very incon- 

 siderable lakes. 



Ans7ver. — The general connection of volcanic action with, 

 or a proximity to, large masses of salt or fresh water, is all that 

 seems required by the conditions of our theory. 



* He alludes once or twice to ray work on Volcanos, but not with refer- 

 ence to any points of theory. 



