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On the PRIMITIVE STATE of the GLOBE and its SUBSE- 

 QUENT CATASTROPHE. Bj RICHARD KIRWAN, 

 E/q; L.L.D. F.R.S. and M.R.I. A. 



IN the inveftigation of paft fads dependent on natural caufes, Reaj Nor. 

 certain laws of reafoning (hould inviolably be adhered to. The '^' '''^ 

 firft is, that no effed fhall be attributed to a caufe whofe known 

 powers are inadequate to its produdion. The fecond is, that no 

 caufe fhould be adduced whofe exiftence is not proved either by 

 adual experience or approved teftimony. Many natural phaeno- 

 mena have arifen or do arife in times or places fo diftant, that 

 well conditioned teflimony concerning them cannot without ma- 

 nifeft abfurdity be rejeded. Thus the inhabitants of the Nor- 

 thern parts of Europe, who have never felt earthquakes nor 

 feen volcanos, muft ncverthclefs admit, from mere teftimony, that 

 the firft have been, and that the fecond do a&ually exift. 



The third is, that no power fhould be afcribed to an alleged 

 caufe but thofe that it is known by adual obfervation to 

 poflTcfs in appropriated circumftances. 



Vol. VI. G g To 



