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To affign the caufes of this almoft univerfal alotment of un- 

 equal declivi':ies to oppofite points and why the greatefi: are 

 diredted to the weft and fouth, and the gentleft on the contrary 

 to the eaft and north it is neceffary to confider, 



1° That all mountains were formed while covered with 

 water. 



2^ That the earth was univerfally covered with water at 

 two different aeras, that of the creation, and that of the Noachian 

 deluge. 



■ 3" That in the firft asra we muft diflinguifh two different 

 periods, that which preceded the appearance of dry land, and 

 that which fucceeded the creation of fifh, but before the fea 

 had been reduced nearly to its prefent level ; during the former, 

 the primajval mountains were formed, and during the laft, mofl 

 of the fecondary mountains and ftrata were formed. 



4° That all mountains extend either from E. to W. or from 

 N. to S. or in fome intermediate diredion between thefe cardinal 

 points which need not be particularly mentioned here, as the 

 fame fpecies of reafoning muft be applied to them, as to thofe 

 to whofe afped they approach moft. 



These preliminary circumflances being noticed, we are next 

 to obferve that during the firft aera, this vaft mafs of water moved 



in 



