Dr. Maycock on the Geology of Barbadoes. 19 



bility been formed by repeated inundations by the ocean, of what 

 is now the plain of Scotland. Each inundation effected by the 

 concurrent influence of strong trade winds, and spring tides, 

 would form a saline lagoon ; and the repeated formation and 

 evaporation of such lagoons would occasion the deposition of 

 salt, or of minerals charged with salt, as well as of gypsum. 

 Now it is evident, that such inundations and evaporations could 

 only take place at a time when the sea stood nearly at its pre- 

 sent level, and when the constant occupancy of the ocean was 

 prevented by some natural dam, or barrier ; and as the salt 

 minerals appear to have been deposited under the argillaceous, 

 which form the exterior crust of Scotland, it would seem to 

 follow necessarily, that the argillaceous minerals, which reach 

 an altitude of at least eight hundred feet, must have been depo- 

 sited during a rising of the waters subsequent to the formation 

 of the saline minerals, and of such a rising we have no example, 

 except during the great and universal deluge. 



I conclude, therefore, that the coralline structure which con- 

 stitutes the body of this island, was produced during the sub- 

 sidence of the pri me vai waters ofihe ocean, antecedently to the 

 deluge, and that it rests on primitive or secondary rocks of an- 

 cient date ; that during the period which intervened between the 

 formation of the coralline mass and the deluge, frequent erup- 

 tions of the ocean over its bounds formed saline lagoons, which 

 gave Origin to those minerals which impregnate the saline 

 springs; and lastly, that the argillaceous minerals, which form 

 the hilly district, were deposited from the troubled waters of the 

 ocean, when they had risen high above the wJiole island ; that is 

 to say, during the universal deluge. 



In opposition to the opinion expressed in the preceding pages, 

 is the hypothesis, which considers Barbadoes and the chain of 

 neighbouring islands to be of volcanic origin. 



That islands are occasionally thrown up from the bosom of the 

 ocean, by the action of submarine volcanoes, is most certain; but 

 these islands are so obviously of volcanic formation, and consist 

 so entirely of volcanic materials, that I cannot suppose it possible 

 that their origin, and the origin of Barbadoes, should be con- 

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