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5^. Trees have oflcn been found depofited near the fummhs 

 of many mountains at heights in which from the degree of cold 

 which at prefect prevails on them they could not grow, there- 

 fore they mufi have grown when the temperature of thefe fum- 

 mits was warmer, and confequently when they were lefs elevated 

 over the furface of the fea, and lefs diftant from it. 



Lastly, — Stratified mountains of various heights beneath eight 

 thoufand feet cxift in different parts of Europe, and of both con- 

 tinents, in and betwixt whofe ftrata various fubftances of marine, 

 and fome vegetables of terreftrial origin repofe, either in their 

 natural ftate or petrified ; the regularity and uniformity of thefe 

 ftrata ftrongly indicate a caufe whofe adion was regular and uni- 

 form and long continued ; now tides are the only caufe of this 

 nature with which we are acquainted; fudden and violent inun- 

 dations and of fhort continuance are incompatible with flrati- 

 fications fo regular and numerous. In fome few inftances, it is 

 true, much irregularity and confufion prevails amongft the ftrata, 

 from the difTolution, elapfion, or different comprefTion of fome 

 of thefe ftrata, or from their interruption during their formation, 

 by the introdudion of extraneous rocks projeded amongft them 

 by adventitious caufes, as earthquakes or volcanos ; or the tides 

 themfelves may have fometimes been rendered irregular by ftorms, 

 currents or the irregular profile of the fhores, as we daily obferve. 

 But even in thefe cafes the length of time neceffary for the for- 

 mation of the ftrata exclude all fufpicion of fhort and tumultuary 

 inundations. 



We 



