— 19 — 



Doubtless I have to blame mj own dimcislmess , not Mr. 

 Dauwin's logic, for not being alle to perceive in tlie fore- 

 goiug paragrapli any rcasoiiable solntion of the question , 

 wich tliat ineites me to propound, to mi, hoAV does the 

 elevation of some of the coral reef skirted islaiids, prove the 

 subsidence of the coral encircled islands ? — or , in other vv'ords, 

 how does a matter of fact description of the former, become 

 a perfect coniirmation of the theory of the subsidence of tlie 

 latter? as for the structure of these reefs,, Mr. Darwin has 

 liimself declared that, //it is the same in all, even to the most 

 /' minute details." 



XVI. «Continental elcvalions, as observed in South America and ofhcr 

 wpiirts, seem to eet over wiJe r.reas with a uüiform forcs; we m«y therc- 

 »foi-e suppose that continental sulisi leiices , act in a nearlj'' similar man- 

 »ncr. On tliij assumplion, and taking ou the oue hand lagooii isiunds 

 » and on the other rai^cd shells and eorals, together ^vith luere skining 

 5»rceft>, as onr proof of elevation, we may test the truth of the theovy, 

 »that their cunSgnraiion has beeu deteruiincd by the kind of subterranean 

 »niovenieiit, by observiug whether auy uniform result can be obtaincd. I 

 » tiiiak ie e lu be showa that sucli is the case ia a very reinailcable da- 

 » gree, and that certaia la\vs may be iafened from tlie exuniiaation , of 

 » far move importance, than the mere explauation of the oiigia of tlie 

 j>c iciilar or other kinds of reef." 



Thq,t Continental elevations, /lave taken place over 'wide areas, 

 is probabls enongh, but that such are talcing place aiiy 

 Avliere in the present era of ages, requircs someAvhat stronger 

 evidence for the truth of the assertion, than a bit of cotton 

 thread &c. or old coconut trees being undermined and falllng _ 

 On what grounds we are called upon to admit, that skirtiiig 

 reefs are indications of recent elevation, vre do not perceive' 

 and therefore may be allowed to hold the opinion, that a skir- 

 ting reef may be attached, or all but so, to land or an island, 

 Avhich lias not been moved so much as a foot upwards, during 

 tlie last five or six thousand years. As to the important laws, 

 that are to be inferred from the examination, we shall look 

 at theiTi , when they are introduced to our notice. 



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