Lakes have been more numerous, @&c. 19 
the primitive ftrata of the furrounding country; 
and that the tides of the ocean were not concerned 
in lodging it where we now find it. For though 
it would be folly to feek for fhells in the heaps of 
pebbles defcribed above, becaufe they would be 
unavoidably crufhed to pieces, during the formation 
of thefe eminences, by the fragments of which 
they confift being thrown forcibly together by the 
currents; yet, it is equally evident, that the gentler 
undulations of the water would tranfport fuch light 
fubftances along with the fineft particles of ftone 
into the calmeft parts of the refervoir, and there 
leave them to fubfide together. On this account 
it is highly reafonable to fuppofe, that the beds of 
fand here alluded to are not productions of the fea; 
but that they have been depofited by rivers, which, 
after running over ftrata ina ftate of decompofition, 
difcharged all the impurities collected in their 
refpective courfes into vallies full of water at the 
time; and that the rubbifh, which now covers their 
fides, confifts of thefe impurities, difpofed in their 
prefent order and arrangement, by the currents-of 
the primitive lakes. 
ot 
Kendal, Fune 16, 1790. 
