I S3 1 



I have confidered it, I mufl fay it appears to me improbable ; 

 upon difcuffion, however, it is poffible my objedions may be 

 removed; thofe that have occurred to me I fliall now briefly 

 ftate to the Acaderuy in the cleareft and fliorteft manner I 

 am able. ' 



After fome profound reflections on the wlfdom difplayed 

 in the conflltution of the globe we inhabit, our author tells us, 

 " It is neceffary to diftingulfti three different bodies which 

 « compofe the whole of it ; a folid body of earth, an aqueous 

 " body of fea, and an elaftic fluid of air. There is a central 

 " body in the globe which is commonly fuppofed to be folid. 

 « and inert, but which he will afterwards prove not to be fo. 

 " There is alfo an irregular body of land raifed above the level 

 " of the ocean, which is doubtlefs the fmallefl: portion of the 

 " globe. There is alfo an atmofphere of air, necefl"ary for the 

 « fuflienance of fire, animal life, vegetation," &c. Pages 211 

 and 212. 



After mentioning the general powers that adluate the whole 

 machine, he confines his views to that part which we inhabit. 

 " That we may confider the natural confequences of thofe opera- 

 " tions, which, being within our view, we are_ better qualified 

 « to examine. In purfuit of this objea: we employ our flcill 

 " in refearch, and not in forming vain conjeHures, and, if data 

 " are to be found, on which fcience may reafon, we fliould 

 " not long remain ignorant of the natural hiflory of the globe, 

 " a fubjedl on which opinion only and not evidence has 



" hitherto 



