I 35 ] 



AN ESSAY on the DECLIVITIES OF MOUNTAINS. 

 By RICHARD KIRWAN, Efq; L.L.D. F.R.S. and 



P. R. I. J. 



-TIMONG the various caufes to whofe adivity the planet we ReadAphi 

 inhabit owes its prefent wonderfully diverfified appearance, fome '^' '^°°' 

 undoubtedly exerted their influence from its very origin, and 

 others at fubfequent periods; of thefe laft one at leaft/namely, 

 the Noachian deluge, was univerfal in its operation, while the efFeds 

 of many more were partial and local, fuch as thofe refulting from 

 earthquakes, volcanos, particular inundations, &c. 



In a general furvey of the globe it is only to general caufes 

 whofe operation was univerfal that our attention can be direded, 

 the efFeds of partial caufes being the proper objeds of the geo- 

 logical hiftory of thofe countries that were particularly afFeded 

 by them, 



E 2 But 



