[■ 46 r 



in two general diredions, at right angles with each other, the one 

 from E. to W. which needs not to be proved, being the courfe 

 of tides which itill continue, but were in that ocean neceffarily 

 ftronger and higher than at prefent : the other from N. to S. the 

 water tending to thofe vaft abylfes then formed in the vicinity of 

 the fjuth pole, as fhewn in my former effays. Before either 

 motion could be propagated a confiderable time rauft have 

 elapfed. 



Now the primaeval mountains formed at the commencement of 

 the firft aera, and before this double diredion of the waters took 

 place, muft have oppofed a confiderable obftacle to the motion 

 of that fluid in the fenfe that croffed that of the diredion of 

 thefe mountains. Thus the mountains that ftrelch from N. to S.- 

 muft have oppofed the motion of the waters from E. to W. this 

 oppofition diminifhing the motion of that fluid difpofed it to 

 fuffer the earthy particles with which in thofe early periods it 

 muft have been impregnated to chryftallize or be depofited on 

 thefe eaftern flanks, and particularly on thofe of the higheft 

 mountains, for over the lower it could eafily f)afs; thefe depofi- 

 tions being incelfantiy repeated at heights gradually diminiflaing 

 as the level of the waters gradually lowered, muft have rendered 

 the eaftern declivities or defcent, gentle, gradual and moderate, 

 while the weftern fides receiving no fuch acceflions from depofi- 

 tions muft have remained fteep and craggy. 



Agaii*, 



